The EU is facing challenges both at home and abroad in its promotion of democratic values, and finds itself at the crossroads between its principles and pragmatism. The ‘crisis of confidence’ and growing scepticism towards democracy is coupled by a loss of credibility that decreases the effectiveness of its actions.
Democracy is being challenged worldwide, and civic space is shrinking. Almost 30.6% of the global population now lives in countries with ‘closed’ civic space – an increase from the 26% that was recorded in 2018. Citizens have lost the trust that democracy can deliver its promises, especially in improving governance and accelerating development. The rise of illiberalism and authoritarianism challenges the formal structures of democracy, civil liberties and institutional checks and balances, and will only make the lives of citizens worse.
At the same time, integrating democracy promotion into the EU’s broader policy framework for international partnerships, within its Global Gateway strategy, is awash with complexities and trade-offs. And it will be even more challenging in the new ‘economic foreign policy’ era announced by the Commission’s president Von der Leyen.
Balancing values, interests and partnerships
The shifting geopolitical trends have put the EU and member states’ commitment to promote democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights – including gender equality – under pressure. The objectives and priorities of the EU’s international partnerships are becoming increasingly more assertive, more interest-driven: economic, migration, trade and security interests now take the lead, while issues related to democracy and governance have lost ground in the recent conversations with partner countries.
This represents a paradigm shift, which raises a number of questions. How can the EU continue to support civic space and more broadly democracy in a radically changed political environment? What space remains for the support of democracy in the EU’s external agenda? Can the growing gap between the EU’s foreign policy principles and its domestic policies undermine its image as a value-driven normative actor and the promotion of democratic values more generally? And are the EU’s long-term security and economic interests best served by downplaying democracy and civil space, or does it call for a more united and savvy and tailored EU response?
Some of these questions were at the core of the 2024 International Democracy Day events in Brussels. Upholding democracy at – or close to – home is crucial for the future of the EU itself and its internal functioning. Yet, fostering and supporting democracy in partner countries requires a different approach. Leaving behind the conditionalities and incentive-based approach –inefficient to boost progress on democracy–, the EU can seize democratic openings and focus on partner countries where the conditions are favourable and the EU’s support is welcome.
It is clear that a rolling back on the EU’s support to democracy and the rule of law is not ‘cost-free’ and might not only affect its reputation as a reliable partner, but also its ability to hold onto partnerships in the long run. Already now partner countries accuse the EU of applying double standards on democracy and the rule of law (at home or close to home vs. in third countries), and to meddle into their own internal affairs. So a savvy and united response is required.
In an era of geopolitical contestation, the EU needs to navigate its own history and profile, and redefine the limits of its moral compass. On top of that, it needs to face its trilemma: how to ensure a balance between the priorities of partners, often represented by governments, the values that it embraces and wishes to promote, and its economic and security interests both at home and abroad (which are more and more interlinked).
The EU’s response to declining civic space
The EU member states and the European Commission launched the global Team Europe Democracy (TED) Initiative in 2021 to seize the (ever-shrinking) space left and maximise Europe’s impact and coordination. This initiative aims to strengthen democratic practices and civic space, especially in areas where these are under threat.
Through this initiative, ECDPM analysed the EU and its member states’ responses to the shrinking of civic space in some partner countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. One key suggestion is that to protect democracy and human rights, the EU needs to widen its network and engage with new contacts.
Civic space is shrinking, but it is not shrinking all the time in all its dimensions. Many actors populate this ecosystem but donor agencies often stick to familiar partners with similar (liberal) values, missing out on a series of actors like youth movements, religious leaders, environmental defenders, feminist organisations, digital and informal media, and local authorities, who may have the potential to be change-makers. Our findings suggest that the EU and member states should see ‘who is out there’ to go beyond working with ‘the usual suspects’ and explore other entry points that might potentially open new opportunities.
With the EU more prominently positioning its geostrategic and economic interests in its international partnerships, the Global Gateway strategy might be an innovative point of entry to promote civic space and democracy. ECDPM’s upcoming paper will suggest other ways in which the EU and member states can fine-tune their actions to counter the closing of civic space in the short term and in the longer term.
About the authors:
Amandine Sabourin is a policy officer in ECDPM’s European foreign and development policy and AU-EU relations teams.
Sara Gianesello is a Policy officer and Gender and Youth focal point in ECDPM’s inclusive governance and accountability and peace, security and resilience teams.