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Germany and the latest EU reform proposals

Berlin Perspectives

In this edition of the Berlin Perspectives, the authors call on the German government to intensify its efforts of strengthening European democracy through reforms at the very beginning of the new European legislative period.

Introducing #RESILIOtoolbox: the way forward to rule of law resilience

The toolbox offers ideas for concrete policy measures aiming at a more resilient rule of law in the EU. It draws from the results of a robust data analysis conducted in the RESILIO project.

denhans/ Photocase

Background papers: "Between repression and democratic conviction: Perspectives for the Belarusian civil society"

VisiBYlity Belarus

Civil society in Belarus faces enormous challenges, which are analysed in detail in two background papers. The first analyses the reality of state repression. The second paper analyses the role and resilience of Belarusian women.

Rethink Poland: Poliy Paper

democratic backsliding

What is needed for a new German strategy towards Poland in view of the change of government in Warsaw in late 2023? This includes the revival of the Weimar Triangle, a proactive rapprochement on an equal footing and the search for synergies at EU level.

Hungary and ‘biting intergovernmentalism’, made in Berlin

Berlin Perspectives

While the European Commission is the ‘Guardian of the Treaties’, there is also potential for stronger protection of the EU’s fundamental values by its member states. Germany should increase its cooperation with like-minded member states to defend democracy and the rule of law.

Policy Paper: Defending liberal democracy

rethink Hungary

Democracy and the rule of law have been eroding in Hungary since 2010. In view of Hungary's tendencies towards autocratization, the policy paper contains recommendations on how the German government should respond bilaterally, multilaterally, and at the EU level.

Background paper II: Challenges of dismantling the rule of law in Hungary

rethink Hungary

Hungary's dismantling of the rule of law is not only presenting the EU with ever new problems. The German government, too, is challenged to react more strongly to Hungary's autocratization under the impression of the “Zeitenwende”.

Policy Paper: How can the EU better protect the rule of law?

EU Rechstaatlichkeit

The conflict over the rule of law has not only revealed cracks in the European foundation. It also shows how determined the "rule breakers" were to avoid the consequences of their actions, even sabotaging the EU's decision-making processes.

Background paper I: The rule of law in Hungary and the role of German politics and business

rethink Hungary

The current conflict over the rule of law is increasingly straining relations between Hungary and the EU. The conflict is becoming increasingly problematic for German stakeholders, too. Hungary is blocking important EU decisions and increasing the pressure on German companies.

Protecting the rule of law: The case of Poland

Berlin Perspectives

The new budget conditionality mechanism opens pathways to effectively curbing democratic backsliding in the EU. Making use of its proclaimed "Zeitenwende", Germany should use its leverage and take a more pro-active approach – as in the case of Poland – to defend the rule of law.

Young visions for a European future

The WB2EU Summer School for you professionals, scientists and activists took place on the Croatian island of Cres. At the center were topic such as youth participation, enlargement of the European Union (EU) and democratisations.

Policy Paper: The illiberal challenge of the EU – Value divergence in Central and Eastern Europe?

Value Divergence Central and Eastern Europe

Some governments in Central and Eastern Europe are more illiberal than their populations. They support most of the EU’s liberal values. We analyse and explain the origins and conditions of illiberalism in the region.

Reforming the EU’s electoral law: More EU democracy

Berlin Perspectives

The European Parliament proposes a reform of the European electoral law in order to strengthen EU-democracy. A core demand: EU-wide electoral lists. Germany should get off the side lines and support it proactively.

Essay collection on European unification in Central Europe 1989/2004 and beyond

Several essays examine different perspectives from countries in Central Europe on the process of European unification after 1989 and 2004. In addition they discuss how we can commemorate the successes of democratic reforms and EU enlargement today.

Study: Value preferences and political trends in Central and Eastern Europe

Value Divergence Central and Eastern Europe

Illiberal values in Central and Eastern Europe receive less support than some governments might suggest. Their policies often serve mere power interests. Our study provides concrete suggestions for dealing with authoritarian-populist governments in CEE.

Policy Paper: Electoral equality and EU-wide lists

Strengthening Democratic Legitimacy

Up until now, there has been no electoral equality in European elections: votes from larger countries have less weight. A proportional balance via EU-wide lists could solve the problem without putting smaller states in a worse position.

Policy Paper – Recommendations for the Conference on the Future of Europe

Strengthening Democratic Legitimacy

How is it still possible to make the Conference on the Future of Europe a successful experiment transnational deliberative democracy?

Study – Strengthening the democratic legitimacy of the EU

Strengthening Democratic Legitimacy

Strengthening parliamentary democracy, reforming participatory democracy to achieve more citizen involvement, and creating clear responsibilities for economic policy in the eurozone. The state of democracy at the EU level has been analysed.

Policy paper – Make EU economic policy accountable

Strengthening Democratic Legitimacy

European economic governance is too complex for a sufficient democratic legitimacy.

Policy paper – Make European elections more meaningful

Strengthening Democratic Legitimacy

If elections for the European Parliament were more consequential the democracy would be strengthened.