Democracy is backsliding in a number of nations and needs to be strengthened, says former Swiss government minister Alain Berset, secretary general of the Council of Europe since September. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The organisation founded in 1949, of which Switzerland has been a member since 1963, promotes government by the people, human rights and the rule of law. "Democracy is regressing in several countries, not always to the same extent or from the same starting point or end point," Berset said in an interview published on Sunday by Le Matin Dimanche. "But the movement is not going in the right direction. Polarisation, incitement to hatred in political debate, threats and the rest are part of the problem." "The Council of Europe needs to reflect on this," he said. "I have proposed the launch of an action plan to rethink democracy. The idea is not to give lessons but to look at different contexts, always with respect, and to strengthen the ...
