International IDEA’s Electoral Processes Programme continued strengthening global electoral integrity in 2025. International IDEA advanced good practices among electoral assistance practitioners, policymakers, electoral management bodies (EMBs) and civil society, influencing reforms and capacity-building efforts across regions.
Amid one of the most intense electoral calendars in recent years—spanning presidential and legislative elections in Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Guyana and Honduras, legislative polls in Argentina, subnational elections in Uruguay and Honduras, and judicial elections in Mexico—the region confronted deep public frustration with democratic performance. This frustration was reflected in lower voter turnout, a rise in protest voting and increasingly radical candidacies, alongside mounting concerns about potential foreign interference.
Following Gabon’s transitional period after the annulment of the country’s 2023 general elections, International IDEA urged the presidential candidates to sign the country’s first voluntary code of conduct—the Code of Good Conduct for the Candidates for Peaceful Presidential Elections in Gabon. Despite initial mistrust, the initiative helped foster a more peaceful electoral environment and inspired similar practices ahead of subsequent legislative and local elections.
Ahead of Albania’s 2025 general election, International IDEA supported the creation of the country’s first Code of Conduct on Digital Campaigning, developed with the Central Election Commission, the National Democratic Institute and the University of Helsinki’s Rule of Law Centre.
International IDEA supported Moldova in organizing free and fair parliamentary elections against a backdrop of covert digital threats, unregulated online political advertising and coordinated third-party campaigning capable of undermining the integrity of results. Ahead of the elections, the Institute anticipated these risks by helping oversight bodies respond to threats and strengthening the Central Electoral Commission’s ability to oversee the compliance of online campaigning and political advertising.
Thank you, and good morning. Let me begin by congratulating this Congress on its 50th session. It is a special honour to address representatives of Europe’s local and regional governments on such an important occasion.
