OKKALI AKTAS Ayben

Christoph Schnaudigel appointed as the new CEMR President

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The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has appointed Christoph Schnaudigel as its new President, following the decision of former President Gunn Marit Helgesen to step down after her election as President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE).

At this June edition of the Leaders´ Summit in Rovaniemi, from 4 to 5 June, the Policy Committee warmly congratulated Gunn Marit Helgesen on her new role and appointed Christoph Schnaudigel, until now serving as Co-President, as the new President of CEMR.

Christoph Schnaudigel is the President of the German Section of CEMR (RGRE) and the President of the County of Karlsruhe (Germany). He has been an active member of CEMR’s leadership since 2017, when he became the Spokesperson on Public Services.

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“I am honoured to take on the role of President of CEMR at such a crucial moment for Europe’s towns, cities and regions. As the negotiations on the next EU budget unfold, and as our values and local democracy are increasingly challenged in a turbulent geopolitical context, our unity matter more than ever. I look forward to working even more closely with all our members to ensure that local voices are heard and involved in the European process of decision-making. This also includes strengthening CEMR’s commitment to international partnerships to uphold peace, democracy, sustainability and solidarity.”

– Christoph Schnaudigel, the newly elected CEMR President

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Continuity and commitment at the heart of CEMR’s leadership

The transition reflects CEMR’s commitment to stability and continuity at a pivotal moment for Europe’s local and regional governments. During his period as CEMR Co-President, Christoph Schnaudigel has been closely involved in shaping CEMR’s political direction and is well placed to lead the organisation through the current mandate.

The remaining leadership structure remains in place:

• Philippe Laurent, CEMR Co-President; President of AFCCRE; Mayor of Sceaux; Vice-President of Territoire Vallée Sud – Grand Paris; Member of the Ile-de-France Regional Council
• Vince Maple, Chair of the CEMR Financial Management Committee; Councillor of Medway; Vice-President of CEMR (Local Government Association, UK)

You can consult all the CEMR governance details here.

For more information, please contact:

CEMR Presidency meets with the President of the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (UMT) to share insights on Turkish democracy

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Local democracy and elected representatives in Türkiye are currently facing significant challenges, with mayors being dismissed or imprisoned and replaced by government-appointed trustees. These actions not only undermine democratic principles but also threaten the very foundations of local self-governance and human rights.

On March 3rd, Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor ofİstanbul Metropolitan Municipality and President of the UMT took part in an extraordinary CEMR Presidency meeting to share firsthand insights into the situation in Türkiye. His intervention highlighted the harsh realities facing opposition mayors, the far-reaching consequences for local governance, and the various efforts being made to resist these pressures.

CEMR stands in solidarity with all local leaders in Türkiye and beyond who are defending local democracy and the fundamental right to serve their communities freely.

For more information, contact: 

Deadline Extended for Hosting CEMR 2026 Congress

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CEMR has extended the deadline for submitting applications to host the CEMR 2026 Congress to March 5th. Interested cities and municipalities now have additional time to submit their proposals and be part of this major gathering of local and regional leaders from across Europe.

• Terms of Reference for CEMR Congress 2026 (English)
• Terms of Reference for CEMR Congress 2026 (French)

For full details, please refer to the Terms of Reference document. If you have any questions, contact:

CEMR Leaders Summit 2024: A Crucial Post-Election Gathering for Local Governments

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The CEMR Leaders Summit, 17-18 June 2024, at the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels, marks the first gathering of CEMR leaders with the new EU Parliament. This event is a crucial moment for shaping future policies and strategic directions for the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR).
 
The agenda for the Summit opens with the Policy Committee Meeting, which will address various statutory affairs and thematic work, including sustainability initiatives, territorial cohesion, and urban-rural linkages. These discussions are essential for addressing the immediate and long-term needs of local communities in the context of the recent elections.
 
June 18th will feature high-level panel debates focusing on the future of Europe and integrated territorial development. Key topics include democracy, sustainable development, enlargement, and effective collaboration across government levels. These timely discussions offer an opportunity to align local priorities with the broader European agenda.
 
The previous CEMR Policy Committee, held in Prague, culminated in the signing of the Prague Declaration, setting expectations for local leaders for the next EU mandate. Holding this year’s summit immediately after the European elections allows for a timely recalibration of priorities and strategies in light of the election results. This gathering will enable CEMR leaders to forge a unified vision and collaboratively address the pressing challenges and opportunities facing Europe’s local and regional governments in the coming years.

CEMR Secretaries General and Directors Meeting (SGDs): Strengthening European Local Governance in Nicosia, Cyprus

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The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is meeting with its member association’s Secretaries General and Directors on April 23-24, 2024.
 
Taking place at the Town Hall of the Nicosia Municipal Council and hosted by the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, the meeting will serve as a platform for crucial discussions just ahead of the European election. Eleni Loucaidou, Councillor, on behalf of the Mayor of Nicosia, opened the session and set the agenda for the two-day meeting, which foresees intensive roundtable discussions covering CEMR’s statutory events and international relations, as well as the presentation of new CEMR activities and projects for 2024.
 
The biannual SGDs meetings bring together Secretaries General and Directors of CEMR members, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration across European local and regional governance.

CEMR Members’ Associations Meet in Nicosia, Cyprus for Secretaries General and Directors Meeting

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CEMR Secretaries General and Directors (SGDs) will convene in Nicosia, Cyprus, on 23-24 April 2024. The Union of Cyprus Municipalities will host the gathering.

The agenda of the meeting will be followed by two days of intensive roundtable discussions covering CEMR’s statutory events and international relations, along with the presentation of new CEMR activities and projects for 2024.

The biannual SGDs meetings bring together Secretaries General and Directors of CEMR members, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration across European local and regional governance.

Discussion on CEMR’s activities in 2023, the EU Green Deal and the key messages as well as the findings of the project Women in Politics and many other topics will be addressed during this meeting.

Charting Future Paths: CEMR Policy Committee Gathers in Prague

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We are delighted to announce that the upcoming CEMR Policy Committee meeting is set to take place in the enchanting city of Prague on the 6th and 7th of December 2023. The Policy Committee meetings stand as one of the most important moments of the year at CEMR, providing a platform for constructive dialogue, collaborative decision-making, and strategic planning among local and regional leaders.

This edition of the Policy Committee meeting holds special importance as it sets the stage just before the next European Elections, adding an extra layer of significance to our discussions and resolutions. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the Union of Towns and Municipalities of the Czech Republic, who will be hosting the event.

We look forward to coming together, sharing insights, exchanging ideas, and strengthening the bonds that make CEMR a force for positive change in Europe.

CEMR Members’ Associations Meet in Bursa, Türkiye for Secretaries General and Directors Meeting

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CEMR Secretaries General and Directors (SGDs) will convene in Bursa, Türkiye, on 16th and 17th November. The agenda of the meeting will be followed by two days of intensive roundtable discussions covering key topics such as Statutory affairs, preparations for the Policy Committee meeting on 6th-7th December in Prague, and Calendar activities. Delegates will delve into Achievements and Progress in CEMR Policy, share updates, and discuss ongoing and upcoming projects integral to CEMR’s vision.
 
The gathering includes a cultural immersion with a visit to Bursa’s old town and a meeting with the Mayor of Bursa Metropolitan Municipality at the iconic Historical Building in the Orhanbey district, offering an additional platform for networking and collaborative discourse. This SGDs meeting serves as a crucial milestone preceding the Policy Committee meeting in Prague, where political leaders will discuss the outcomes of the Bursa meeting, shaping the trajectory of European local governance.
 
The biannual SGDs meetings bring together Secretaries General and Directors of CEMR members, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration across European local and regional governance.