Pro-democracy initiative launched in Brussels amid eroding trust in EU institutions

A new pro-democracy initiative, Democracy27, has emerged in Brussels, spearheaded by former and current EU officials and non-governmental sector representatives. Its core mission is to bolster citizen participation and rebuild trust in the European Union's institutions.

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People value democracy but are dissatisfied with how it functions. That's why we are here. We need to understand why trust in democracy is declining and find solutions.

Former EU Commissioner Vera Jourová, a key figure in the initiative, stated that while people value democracy, they are dissatisfied with its current operational effectiveness. "We need to understand why trust in democracy is declining and find solutions," she urged, as reported by EUobserver. A recent Pew survey revealed that 77% of Europeans consider democracy important, yet a significant 64% are unhappy with its practical implementation.

Jourová also pointed to the rise of autocratic tendencies within democratic nations as a primary challenge. "The warning signs are there. Some democratically elected governments are starting to think their power comes not from the people but from the gods," she remarked, cautioning that autocrats are following a "Putin playbook." She stressed that defending the rule of law must remain a top priority for Europe.

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The warning signs are there. Some democratically elected governments are starting to think their power comes not from the people but from the gods.

The initiative plans to engage citizens through dialogues and trend analysis over the coming year. This effort aims to develop a roadmap for strengthening democratic governance across the continent, particularly with crucial elections in EU member states like France, Italy, Spain, and Poland on the horizon. "The upcoming elections will be of key importance," noted Madlen de Kok Buining, president of the European Digital Media Observatory's Advisory Council, who also expressed concern over the spread of disinformation and emphasized the vital role of independent media as "the oxygen of democracy."

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The upcoming elections will be of key importance.

Former Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar warned that democratic backsliding is increasingly evident both within and outside Europe. "Trust in democracy is eroding. We can no longer take democracy in Europe for granted," he stated, according to EUobserver. Former EU Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly shared her frustration with the European Commission's frequent disregard for her office's recommendations, calling the concentration of decision-making and information control in Brussels "elitist and anti-democratic."

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Independent media are the oxygen of democracy.