About: Democracy

Georgia remembers its 9 April

On 9 April 1989, Soviet tanks rolled into Tbilisi, and Georgians realised Gorbachev’s regime was just as steeped in blood as that of his predecessors. Thirty years on, Georgia remembers its heroes, writes Natalie Sabanadze.

Europe depends on its cities

Cities are the place where the fight against climate change becomes real, most of the decisions are taken and where equal and inclusive societies can be made, Anna Lisa Boni claims. 

Six years after Rouhani’s election, moderation is as far away as ever for Iran

EU Governments and Institutions should severe their ties with Iranian businesses and diplomats, pending serious reforms in order to implement human rights and freedoms, writes Julio Terzi.

Macron makes EU-wide appeal ‘for European renewal’

French President Emmanuel Macron made an appeal to all Europeans on Monday (4 March) to re-launch the EU project by holding a conference "without taboos" before year's end that could possibly lead to a new treaty.

Trouble ahead as Tunisia eyes elections in autumn

As Tunisians go to the polls later this year to elect a new president and parliament, they are confronted by a confluence of factors that could seriously threaten the viability of their young democracy, writes Dnyanesh Kamat.

Ennahdha politician: Tunisia deserves enhanced neighbourly relations with the EU

The EU needs to adapt its approach vis-à-vis the different partner countries in the Mediterranean, and pay more attention to his country, which he described as a “success story”, a Tunisian politician visiting Brussels told EURACTIV.

With Salome Zurabishvili, Georgia leads the way, again

The new president of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, is a worthy member of the small group of women in the club of world heads of state and government, writes Clare Moody.

MEPs scold Nicaragua over ‘democratic crisis’

A European Parliament delegation on Saturday (26 January) urged Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega to release political prisoners, permit the return of banned human rights groups and to restart dialogue with the opposition to end a months-long political crisis.

Emmerson Mnangagwa sworn in as president of Zimbabwe

Emmerson Mnangagwa was officially sworn in as president of Zimbabwe on Sunday (26 August) after winning a bitterly-contested election which was the country's first since the ousting of strongman Robert Mugabe.

Not too close but not too far away: The EU’s relations with the new Turkey

The 24 June elections marked the start of a new term in the Turkish Republic’s political history as the elections completed the transition from a parliamentary to a presidential system. The result of these elections could affect Turkey's relations with the EU, writes Seda Gurkan.

EU to ‘swiftly’ hit Venezuela with sanctions over election

EU foreign ministers today (28 May) agreed to "swiftly" adopt new sanctions against Venezuelan officials involved in Nicolas Maduro's re-election, which they said "lacked any credibility".

Technocrat PM to take over in Italy as President steps in to protect the euro

Italy's president is expected to ask a former International Monetary Fund official today (28 May) to head a stopgap government amidst political and constitutional turmoil, with early elections looking inevitable.

Democracy: Making more voices count

Let’s involve more people in decision making and inspire all levels of government, be they local, national or European, to put people first, writes Anna Lisa Boni.

Inspiring new forms of debate to boost participatory democracy in Europe

The new president of the European Economic and Social Committee, Luca Jahier, intends to promote a new culture of dialogue around sustainable development, culture, peace and youth, in order to bring citizens closer to the European project.

Europe and the Egyptian election: Do not congratulate

European leaders should treat the Egyptian election as the meaningless exercise it is. Instead of congratulating the President's coronation, they should instead make a renewed effort to voice their disagreement with his style of government, writes Anthony Dworkin.

Why not hold all of Europe’s elections on the same day?

Here's a sharp knife to cut through the tangled knot of Europe's politics ‒ let's hold all national parliamentary elections on the same day as voting for the European Parliament, writes Giles Merritt.  

Why transnational lists matter for EU democracy

We can’t dream of a better political arena for the next political leaders to grow up with an authentically European understanding of what’s next for all of us and the transnational lists will serve this dream, writes Alberto Alemanno.

Kazakhstan, a fledgling democracy bent on ‘stability’

The ruling elite in Astana acknowledges that continuous efforts are needed to tackle corruption – recognised as “systemic” – and bolster press freedom in Kazakhstan. "But it’s a very subtle balance between democracy and stability”, local politicians argue.

Scott Atran: People need purpose and meaning to embrace Europe

The European Union is not inevitable: it requires struggle and sacrifice otherwise it will die and Europeans must regain this sense of purpose, cultural anthropologist Scott Atran said in an interview with EURACTIV.com.

Commission: Independent Catalonia ‘would find itself outside of EU’

The Commission called today Catalonia's independence referendum "illegal", while the Catalan government said Sunday's vote had given it the right to declare independence from Spain.

Gabriel: Turkey will never be EU member under Erdogan

Turkey will never be a member of the European Union as long as it is governed by Tayyip Erdoğan, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said on Thursday (24 August), accusing the Turkish president of failing to take accession talks with the bloc seriously.

Turkey criticises Merkel, says Germany can’t dictate EU policy

Turkey's EU minister said on Thursday (17 August) that German Chancellor Angela Merkel's comments about halting the expansion of a customs union between Ankara and the European Union harmed the credibility of the bloc.

Trans-Europe Express: EU summertime blues

At the time when many in the EU bubble are getting ready for holidays, it is helpful to remember that the summer period is a fertile time for coups, geopolitical earthquakes and big blunders.