European democracy is under increasing pressure from internal and external threats. Within the EU, populists and autocrats are challenging European values, the rule of law, and liberal democracy. During the COVID 19 pandemic, many governments have curtailed the rights of parliaments. A new kind of “democratic deficit” has thus emerged in Europe, in which governments have instrumentalised the state of emergency to circumvent parliamentary rules of control and legislation. Moreover, external actors aim to destabilise EU political systems by manipulating elections, spreading fake news and rising cyber-attacks. In the wake of the Russian war against Ukraine, such attacks have taken on a geopolitical dimension.

On 20 June at 6.30 p.m., the Online Round Table on European Democracy 2023 will address the topic “European Democracy under Threat: How to Make EU Democracy Resilient against Internal and External Challenges?” Students from across Europe and the interested public are invited to discuss with representatives of the EU institutions, civil society and experts from academia the challenges to European democracy and means to protect liberal democracy in Europe.

For the event, please register here: https://uni-passau.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ikFT5db7S9atmrBjOKAQhA

Please download the agenda here: Agenda Round Table European Democracy

For information concerning the cooperation project of the Universities of Bonn, Flensburg, Frankfurt (Oder), Innsbruck, Magdeburg, Paderborn, Passau, and Vienna as well as the Union of European Federalists and the Spinelli Group contact Julian Plottka (julian.plottka@uni-passau.de).