About: Democracy

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.

Poland: Fierce reactions to Article 7 threat

On Wednesday (19 July), Frans Timmermans criticised Polish efforts to reform the judiciary, considered threatening to the separation of powers, eroding democracy and rule of law. EURACTIV Poland reports.

Trans-Europe Express: Will the EU ever get the Western Balkans right?

The EU's fast-and-loose approach to the Western Balkans has never been more evident than in the last few years.

Poland’s ruling PiS passes law on judges, opposition sounds alarm

Lawmakers from Poland's ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party on Wednesday (12 July) pushed through a bill to give parliament a greater say in appointing judges, a move that the opposition and rights groups said violated the constitutional separation of powers.

Grabbe: Hungary’s NGO law is discriminatory

For the EU, the fear is that this legislation is coercive and inhibits the free movement of capital, former Commission official Heather Grabbe told EURACTIV Germany.

Talking truth to Turkey

Ludwig Schulz looks at how scientific analysis can help counter President Erdoğan’s fake narrative of Turkey’s thriving democracy and why the European Union should reconsider its policy towards EU accession countries.

Why traditional party democracy needs to be overhauled

Political parties have created the mediocrity we are now suffering from and which has led to such voter disenchantment with the system. We need to reinvent the politician as someone who serves society selflessly, for the betterment of all, writes Antanas Guoga.

EU analysts say traditional parties should learn from populists

In the wake of Brexit and the growing dissatisfaction of European voters, populists are gaining ground across the continent. But experts don’t seem concerned, as they see the shake-up as a healthy sign of democracy.

Exiled Turkish journalist urges EU to confront Erdogan

The exiled former editor-in-chief of Turkish opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet urged EU leaders on Wednesday (26 April) to stand up for their principles and confront President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.