Democracy

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Democracy (20)

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RESILIO model in a nutshell

Against the backdrop of rule of law erosion in EU Member States, RESILIO aims to formulate strategies to make Europe’s rule of law more resilient. To this end, its model adopts an interdisciplinary approach and identifies institutional and structural conditions of resilience.

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.

Europe's illiberal challenge: Value preferences and strategic populism in Central and Eastern Europe

Applying rule of law instruments earlier and more consistently – Dr Anna Lührmann, Minister of State for Europe and Climate at the Federal Foreign Office, discussed the influence of illiberal parties in Central and Eastern Europe with Dr Funda Tekin at a digital Lunch Debate.

Press statement on the release of the 2022 Rule of Law Report

On 13 July 2022, the European Commission published the third annual Rule of Law Report. In RESILIO's press statement, Maria Skóra assesses the positive and negative developments.

integration 02/22

European enlargement policy in the context of the war in Ukraine, ideas for reforming the EU and the connection between migration and Brexit – the new issue of "integration" throws a spotlight on major European challenges of our time.

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.

Yearbook snap shot: The public opinion

Dr Thomas Petersen sheds light on how the state of the economy affects the EU's reputation and whether the Polish population is as EU-sceptical as its government. In the video interview he gives an insight into his analyses.

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.

European heritage 30 years after German reunification

Various perspectives connect European memory with German reunification. Experts have analysed which consequences emerged from German reunification after 1990 for the further European integration process.

30 years of German reunification - A European success story?

How do different EU countries interpret the democratic upheavals of 1989? Experts and contemporary witnesses discussed the role of the common heritage of 1989 in the European integration process.

Western Balkans’ plight is wake-up call for Europe

The recent reform of enlargement policy is not enough, although now is the time to move from talk to action. Pragmatic optimism and geopolitical realism would help to break the negative spiral of corona, reform and enlargement fatigue.

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?

Europe from all angles – Publication of the second edition of the Handbuch

Handbuch on Germany’s European Policy 2020

The completely revised second edition of the Handbuch on Germany’s European Policy was published on the occasion of the German Council Presidency at the end of 2020.

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.

Local elections in Ukraine – 19th Ukraine Breakfast Debate

The local elections in autumn 2020 represented a milestone in Ukraine's reform process. The breakfast discussion focused on trends and peculiarities of the electoral process, the strategies of the individual parties and the influence of COVID-19.

Policy paper – Make EU economic policy accountable

Strengthening Democratic Legitimacy

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