Summit in Strasbourg on 20^th and 21^st March for the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament, which is held every two years on the initiative of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). Over 60 presidents or vice-presidents and about 400 delegates from the national parliaments of the 46 member countries are expected in the Alsatian capital. PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos and Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset will open the conference. Three fundamental issues will be at the centre of the discussions: safeguarding democracy, guaranteeing freedom of expression in times of polarisation and uncertainty, violence against politicians (with a speech by the President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Lorenzo Fontana). A number of side-events include a working breakfast of women presidents of parliament, hosted by PACE Secretary General Despina Chatzivassiliou and dedicated to the theme of “Women, peace and security”, as well a pre-conference event on “Young people protecting the planet”. The secretaries general of parliaments will also meet separately to discuss “the opportunities and challenges of AI”. A note reminds us that the first European Conference of Presidents of Parliament was held in 1975. It takes place every two years, hosted alternately in Strasbourg and in the capital of a Council of Europe member state.