Defending democracy in Europe: Addressing the threat of authoritarian populism and reinforcing democratic practice

Recent years have seen a wave of far-right populism gaining momentum in many countries. The EGE analyses how this puts democracy at risk. It formulates a substantive understanding of democracy that does not limit it to elections, but makes real the values and rights it is based upon.

The EGE further reflects on how understandings of identity that are not defined by exclusionary categories but encompass plurality can contribute to people’s appreciation of the European endeavour and strengthen their participation in society. It highlights the need for a reorientation of Europe to its social roots as key for countering the rise of authoritarianism. On this basis, the EGE proposes a series of recommendations for a democratic and vibrant European civic space.

Delivered on
5 June 2024

Origin
Requested by the European Commission

Core advice

The European Group on Ethics gave advice in the form of an Opinion, including policy recommendations. More about how we develop our advice >

Supporting work

To support the Group in its work, the EGE secretariat provided an analysis of the policy landscape. More about our knowledge-gathering >

News and events

News 5 June 2024

Commission’s Ethics Group issues new Statement on defending democracy and its values

Commission Vice-President Dubravka Šuica has received, today, a Statement on “Defending democracy in Europe: Addressing the threat of authoritarian populism and reinforcing democratic practice” from the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE), an independent advisory body to the Commission.