The State of Democracy in Europe: A Review of Current Trends

As the European Parliament votes on the proposal for a Regulation on the transparency and targeting of political advertising, let's consider the state of democracy in Europe.

Democracy is the foundation for prosperity and social justice.

By allowing citizens to have a say in how they are governed, democracy helps to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to achieve their goals and aspirations. Democracy serves as a safeguard against corruption, abuse of power, and human rights violations. The strength of European democracy is reflected in its vibrant civil society, free media, and independent judiciary. These institutions are essential for maintaining a level playing field for all, and for ensuring that the voices of all Europeans are heard.

The future of Europe depends on maintaining and strengthening its democratic foundations, so that it can continue to provide prosperity, equality, and social justice for all.

The rise of populism and the challenge to liberal democracy

The most immediate threat to democracy comes, without surprise, from populism. Event Europe is not unaffected.

Several countries already fell to more or less populist regimes, the (in)famous illiberal democracies. Viktor Orban’s Hungary, Jarosław Kaczyński’s Poland, for instance. Let’s add to populist leaders (or wannabe rulers) Italian Prime minister Giorgia Meloni and France’s Marine Le Pen.

Although the reasons for the rise of these parties are mostly national, there are a few common topics that we find across all countries, such as:

• The fear of immigration, seen as a threat to “national identity”

• A divisive narrative: “us versus them” (migrants against natives, Christians against Muslims, the elites against the people, etc.),

• The critic of the “international elites” and Western liberal values,

• A general critic of the European Union, considered a catalyst of the points above.

Populist movements feed on a sustained feeling of disappointment of voters in traditional political representation (social democracy and conservatism). Among the reasons for this disappointment, let’s consider that traditional parties failed to prevent the 2007 economic crisis and its social consequences. They are seen as complacent against migration and crime, and overall detached from the people they are supposed to represent. Add to it cases of corruption and bribery.

Pupolists parties rise to power by promising radical change. Their stance against migrants and global elites, responsible for the “degradation” of “national values” ensured them to have the ears of voters in the margins of traditional political representations.

As soon as they arrive at power, populist movements start to set up policies that advance their agenda. I will not go into details, but under the cover to apply their electoral program, they lock the democratic system in place to ensure total control of national institutions.

This is what happened in Hungary, where the Fidesz majority voted on multiple occasions to change the constitution in favor of the consolidation of Obran’s power, and in Poland with a reform that limited the independence of the Supreme Court.

Furthermore, populism fragilities European Unity and democracy as a whole, by refusing to engage in democratic dialog or accept European rules.

The multi-crisis era and its effect on democracy

The chain of crisis that Europe experienced in the last years did nothing to improve the situation.

In fact, it reinforced the power of populist groups and made it harder for traditional parties to justify their decisions. The COVID crisis saw an unprecedented decrease in individual liberties in Europe. Temporary decisions taken by liberal countries to reduce the spread of the virus were criticised by populists as liberticide, when illiberal government used them to repress their population even more.

Immediately after the COVID epidemy, the war in Ukraine and the subsequent energy crisis showed disparities and fragilised the European unity. Viktor Orban, a traditional ally of the Kremlin, makes it difficult to sanction Russia effectively and in a speedy manner.

The multi-crisis era fragilises European democracy. In many ways, the future of Europe is being decided on the battlefield of Ukraine.

Media, the internet, and democracy

Media—and most of which internet—are crucial conveyors of ideas, and as such, of democratic or anti-democratic values.

But it is not always easy to understand for which side an advertisement is rooting, and proof of shady techniques and polarisation abound. This is why in 2021, the European Commission proposed to regulate political advertising. Under the proposal for a Regulation on the transparency and targeting of political advertising, the Commission plans to harmonise the rules of political advertising so that they include basic information such as the sponsor of the communication, its electoral context.

Discussed and voted at the European Parliament this week, this proposal should allow for citizens to understand and identify better who commissioned the message they are viewing.

Conclusion and recommendations for the future of democracy in Europe

Democracy is the pillar over which the rest of the European Union is build.

Without democracy, rule of law, and the highest respect for human and political rights, there can be no future for the European Union. That’s why it is the duty of all European citizens to actively participate in democracy. Democracy does not stop with voting—that’s only the beginning. You can demonstrate, join or support NGOs and associations, demonstrate, contact your representative and hold them accountable.

Ahead of the 2024 European election, and facing so many and so important crises, now is an excellent time for citizens to engage in democracy.