The Civic Space Report 2023 prepared by the European Civic Forum highlights the pressing challenges to democracy in the EU, and the need to safeguard democracy. With the impending Defence of Democracy package, the report emphasizes the need to address both external threats and internal challenges to strengthen democratic resilience. Examining the decline in trust in democracy, it attributes the trend to four decades of policies influenced by financial capitalism. The report underscores civil society’s role, facing restrictions and attacks, urging EU institutions to invest in democratic resilience. Recommendations stress the interconnectedness of democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights with economic policies, advocating for strengthened participatory mechanisms and support for civil society. Read more here.
Source: European Civic Forum