European Responses to the Shrinking Spaces of Democracy

Across the EU, illiberal actors are gaining influence and systematically challenging the institutional and normative foundations of liberal democracy from within. When such actors come to power, they often target key democratic pillars: media freedom and pluralism, civil society and freedom of association, and—amid intensifying culture-war dynamics—gender equality and minority rights. These pressures do not emerge in isolation. They are embedded in broader political, institutional, and social vulnerabilities that weaken democratic resilience in some of the EU’s most at-risk member states.
 
The panelists will discuss the most serious threats illiberal forces pose to media freedom, civil society, and gender equality and minority rights within the EU. What democratic guardrails and instruments are there at the EU and national levels, and how resilient are they in practice? What developments over the next three years require close monitoring and rapid response? Where are the most viable points of intervention to strengthen democratic resilience and limit the impact of illiberal actors?
 
This panel presents fresh insights from the Neo-authoritarianism in Europe and the Liberal Democratic Response (AUTHLIB) project and reflects on illiberal challenges across critical policy areas inside the EU. The discussion will seek to identify priority areas for policy action and coordination to strengthen democratic resilience and protect shrinking democratic spaces across Europe.

To register for the event, please click on the button above. Details for access will be sent to registrants. For more information, please contact Zsuzsanna Végh at [email protected].

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is a nonpartisan organization that advances the transatlantic partnership to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
 
With headquarters in Washington, DC; offices in Berlin, Brussels, Paris, Warsaw, Belgrade, Bucharest, and Ankara; representations in London and Madrid; and more than 140 experts and fellows worldwide, GMF is a hub for policy innovation, convening, and leadership development.
 
GMF’s work focuses on three priorities: strengthening transatlantic security, advancing economic and technological competitiveness, and adapting to a shifting global landscape.