On 11 April 2019, Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, attended the 134th Plenary Session of the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels, Belgium.

During this debate, local and regional leaders warned that growing populism is a threat to the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights in the EU. They argued that the EU must further empower regions and cities that are on the frontline tackling racism, hate speech and discrimination whilst fostering social cohesion.