Representatives of the Belarusian democratic forces will be able to participate in missions observing local elections in Council of Europe member states. This decision was adopted by the Bureau of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the Coordination Council faction “Team Latushka – Movement ‘For Freedom’” reported.
The Bureau also reinstated the invitation for representatives of the Belarusian democratic forces — members of the Coordination Council elected in May 2024 — to participate in the 50th session of the Congress. In addition, the Coordination Council has been invited to appoint three representatives from among the delegates who will be elected in May 2026 to take part in the Congress sessions in 2026–2027, as well as three alternates. Thus, the mandate of the Belarusian delegation has been extended for another two years.
The decisions were adopted following initiatives put forward by the Belarusian delegation during the 2025 sessions and within the framework of ongoing consultations with the Congress, including during the visit of the rapporteur on Belarus to Poland.
The Belarusian delegation is headed by Iryna Khalopitsa from the “Team Latushka and Movement ‘For Freedom’” faction. It also includes Aliaksandra Doinich and Yauhen Karaulau from “Moladzievy Nastup”, Palina Brodzik from “Belarusians”, and Yury Hubarevich and Ales Mihalievich from “Team Latushka and Movement ‘For Freedom’”.
Among the key additional decisions is the Bureau’s approval of the introduction, starting in 2026, of a youth delegate from the Belarusian democratic forces.
Separately, the Congress reported that despite the formal closure of applications for the Rejuvenating Politics 2026 initiative, it was decided to reopen the call specifically for youth from the Belarusian democratic forces. Selected participants will be able to join two sessions of the Congress in 2026. Detailed information for potential candidates will be published later.