Democracy Doesn't End with Elections: Why We Need a Strong Civil Society

Večernji List, a leading Croatian daily, delves into the essential role of civil society in a functioning democracy, arguing that democratic participation transcends the act of voting. The article emphasizes that true democracy involves the right to organize, question, criticize, and actively contribute to decisions affecting citizens' lives. It positions civil society as a vital, yet often underestimated, pillar of the democratic system.

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Democracy is not just the right to tick a box every four years. It is also the right to organize, ask questions, criticize, propose better solutions, and participate in decisions that affect our lives.

The report, "The Space for Civil Society Action Between Formal Rules and Reality," prepared within a regional project, reveals a concerning trend: the gradual erosion of civic space. This shrinking is not always dramatic but often occurs through insidious means such as administrative obstacles, opaque processes, political pressure, and the labeling of CSOs as problematic rather than solution-oriented. The article stresses that democracy weakens not only when freedoms are explicitly curtailed but also when formal consultations are mere formalities and critical voices are attacked or dismissed as illegitimate.

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This is perhaps the most important message of the report: democracy does not weaken only when someone is explicitly forbidden. It also weakens when citizens and organizations are formally asked for their opinion, but in reality, they are not listened to.

From a Croatian standpoint, the report's findings are particularly pertinent. While Croatia has a stable legal framework, the article points to worrying trends, including weak participation of civil society in policymaking and the absence of a national strategy for civil society development for years. This lack of a clear political vision undermines the sector's potential. Večernji List frames this as a critical issue for citizens, as a weakened civil society means less oversight, reduced public interest advocacy, and diminished support for marginalized groups. The piece concludes by calling for a broader public discussion on the desired space for civic action in Croatia, asserting that democracy requires constant defense, not just during crises or elections, but through everyday citizen engagement.

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In Croatia, the report recognizes a stable legal framework, but also a series of alarming trends. Civil society participation in decision-making is one of the weakest areas.