I live at the crossroads of East and West My childhood and teenage years were spent under communism, and my youth and adult years under democracy. What will the future bring us? On our My House of European History platform, we invite people from all over Europe to share their personal stories. Magdalena’s story is one of great changes in Europe, the peaceful end of communism and the transition from captivity to freedom. It is a call for freedom and democracy; a rallying cry for strong women in European society. [This podcast contains an excerpt from the speech of Wojciech Jaruzelski of 13 December 1981. © Copyright "Telewizja Polska S.A. – TVP. All rights reserved."]

EN ‘Living at the crossroads of East and West’ – a story of the desire for freedom under communist oppression

I live at the crossroads of East and West My childhood and teenage years were spent under communism, and my youth and adult years under democracy. What will the future bring us? On our My House of European History platform, we invite people from all over Europe to share their personal stories. Magdalena’s story is one of great changes in Europe, the peaceful end of communism and the transition from captivity to freedom. It is a call for freedom and democracy; a rallying cry for strong women in European society. [Acest podcast conține un fragment din discursul lui Wojciech Jaruzelski din data de 13 decembrie 1981. © Drepturi de autor Telewizja Polska S.A. – TVP. Toate drepturile rezervate.]

RO „La răscruce între est și vest” – o poveste despre setea de libertate în regimul opresiv comunist

Everyone living in a democracy should have the opportunity to take part in political life. If you want to, you should be able to vote, join a political party or run for elected office. Yet it is often difficult for people with disabilities to exercise their political rights. Here are three things the EU does for them.

This is what Europe does for voters with disabilities

Are you worried that you, your friends or family might be fooled by junk news and viral conspiracy theories? You are one of a growing number of people who see fake news as a challenge to democracy. Here is what the EU recommends

This is what Europe does for amateur fact-checkers

Do you believe that democracy is key to global security and universal respect for human rights? Do you want to get involved in democratisation around the world? Here is how it works

This is what Europe does for election observers

Do you avoid the news, perhaps because you feel you cannot rely on the news to be true? A March 2018 Eurobarometer poll suggested there is great concern among internet users in Europe about fake news: 85 % of respondents see fake news as a problem in their country and 83 % perceive it as a problem for democracy.

This is what Europe does people who worry about fake news

As the hearts and brains of a free and pluralist media, journalists are vital to democracy in Europe. Although freedom of expression and freedom of information are guaranteed by the EU Charter for Fundamental Rights, journalists – even in the EU – are facing increasing pressure.

EU in my life - Journalist

Journalists are vital to the functioning of democracy in Europe. By offering a wide range of information and different points of view, journalists hold power to account and ensure that citizens are free to form their own opinions on the important issues of the day.

This is what the EU does for journalists

Dubravka Suica, born on 20 May 1957 in Dubrovnik, is a Croatian politician who has been a member of the European Parliament since 2013.

After the hearing by the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) of the European Parliament, the committee prepares an evaluation letter on the candidate. Parliament is expected to vote on the new Commission as a whole on 23 October.

Hearing of Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President-designate, Democracy and Demograp

Parliament holds debates on human rights, democracy and rule of law topics.

Human rights are fundamental values of the entire international community. More than 70 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first comprehensive international human rights document to set common standards to which all UN members should aspire, human rights have become a cornerstone of the international system and have reached almost universal recognition. However, much remains to be done in practice so that every human being can enjoy their fundamental rights.

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

This package contains the events between 1st July 2019 and 31 December 2020. For latest events, see related links.

At each plenary session in the European Parliament, debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law may also give rise to motions for resolutions. These texts are generally tabled by a committee, apolitical group or at least 40 Members.

Human rights are fundamental values of the entire international community. More than 70 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first comprehensive international human rights document to set common standards to which all UN members should aspire, human rights have become a cornerstone of the international system and have reached almost universal recognition. However, much remains to be done in practice so that every human being can enjoy their fundamental rights.

Every day journalists risk their lives to help keep us informed.

Freedom of Press is considered to be an essential element of democracy by the European Parliament, which strongly supports it within the EU and beyond. Article 11 of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly states that “freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected”.

Press freedom in the EU (2019- 2020)

Under Article 2 TEU, the EU is founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights.

Article&nbsp;7 TEU establishes two mechanisms (preventive and sanctioning mechanisms) to enforce European Union values in cases of systemic violations and to sanction Member States departing from them. The sanctions mechanism empowers the Council to suspend certain membership rights of a Member State, including voting rights in the Council in cases of a 'serious and persistent breach' of EU values (Article 7(2)&nbsp;TFEU)’. However, these mechanisms require a high decision-making threshold in the Council and in the European Parliament (when Parliament is called to participate) and rely heavily on Member States’ willingness to take action.

Rule of law - 8th parliamentary term

On the 16th October 2017, the Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bomb explosion. Ms Caruana Galizia gave to the Committee of Inquiry into Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion (PANA) evidence about her work on the Panama Papers at a meeting in February 2017 in Malta.

Every day journalists risk their lives to help keep us informed. Freedom of Press is considered to be an essential element of democracy by the European Parliament, which strongly supports it within the EU and beyond. Article 11 of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly states that “freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected”.

Press freedom in Malta (2019-2020)

Since the Law and Justice party (PiS) won both the presidential and parliamentary elections in Poland in autumn 2015, the government has undertaken a series of reforms that critics say restrict democracy.

Under the rule of law, governmental powers are limited by law and may be exercised only on the basis of law. An independent judiciary is indispensable to guaranteeing this state of affairs, and appropriate procedures, including legal remedies, must be in place to guarantee that individuals can protect their rights and trigger judicial review of governmental action.

Should an EU Member State be suspected of breaching the rule of law, a number of procedures are available to verify this and, if needed, remedy the situation.

Rule of law in Poland (2019-2020)

Languages are an integral part of European Democracy. With its 27 member states and 24 official languages, Parliament has to be multilingual. Not only for its members, but also for you! It ensures equality of treatment and transparency towards its citizens. Discover more about the importance of languages and multilingualism in this package!

Online Multilingualism Day 2020

Disinformation campaigns are a threat to the proper functioning of democracies. The Parliament is committed to ensuring people are able to access reliable information.

Elements of disinformation and propaganda are that such information (i) is designed to be wholly or partly false, manipulated or misleading, or uses unethical persuasion techniques; (ii) regards an issue of public interest; (iii) has the intention to generate insecurity, hostility or polarisation, or attempts to disrupt democratic processes; (iv) and is disseminated and/or amplified through automated and aggressive techniques, such as social bots, artificial intelligence (AI), micro-targeting or paid human 'trolls’, often used to boost public visibility.

Fight against disinformation (2019-2020)

Every day journalists risk their lives to help keep us informed.

Freedom of Press is considered to be an essential element of democracy by the European Parliament, which strongly supports it within the EU and beyond. Article 11 of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly states that “freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected”.

Press freedom in the EU - 8th Parliamentary term

Observing Election Day is one of the principal ways the European Parliament supports democracy.

Because MEPs are the EU's only directly elected representatives, their contribution is essential. With personal experience of campaigns, issues of financing and the work of representing citizens, MEPs bring political legitimacy to observation missions.

Over more than three decades, the European Parliament has observed several hundred elections. Every year, MEPs travel to as many as a dozen countries across the world.
Observing Election Day is one of the principal ways the European Parliament supports democracy.

Election Observation Missions

The European Union and Lebanon enjoy close political relations in the framework of an Association Agreement between the two, which has been in force since April 2006.

This agreement promotes human rights, political dialogue, free movement of goods, and economic, social and cultural cooperation. The EU is committed to supporting democracy, good governance, social inclusion, education and sustainable development in Lebanon.

EU - Lebanon

Election observation is a highly visible demonstration of the European Union's commitment to supporting democracy and promoting human rights around the world.

It contributes to strengthening democratic institutions, building public confidence in electoral processes, helping to deter fraud, intimidation and violence, especially in fragile, post-conflict or developing regions. It also complements other key EU foreign policy objectives, particularly peace-building.

International election observation

Under Article 2 TEU, the EU is founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights.

Article 7 TEU establishes two mechanisms (preventive and sanctioning mechanisms) to enforce European Union values in cases of systemic violations and to sanction Member States departing from them. The sanctions mechanism empowers the Council to suspend certain membership rights of a Member State, including voting rights in the Council in cases of a 'serious and persistent breach' of EU values (Article 7(2)TFEU)’. However, these mechanisms require a high decision-making threshold in the Council and in the European Parliament (when Parliament is called to participate) and rely heavily on Member States’ willingness to take action.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/rule-of-law-8th-parliamentary-term_10601_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Rule of law (2020)

Nelson Mandela led the struggle to replace the apartheid regime of South Africa by a multi-racial democracy. Sentenced to life in prison, he spent 27 years in jail before becoming the country's first black President. He played a leading role in the drive for peace.He is laureate of the 1988 Sakharov Prize and of the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize®.This video illustrates the relations between Nelson Mandela and the European institutions.

Nelson Mandela

Candidate countries include Montenegro, Albania, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are considered potential candidates.

In order to apply for EU membership a country has to be European and respect the EU’s democratic values. It also needs stable institutions guaranteeing democracy and the rule of law; a functioning market economy; and the ability to take on and carry out the obligations of EU membership.

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans (2019-2020)

10 Years Supporting Democracy beyond the EU - Supporting Parliamentary Democracy Worldwide : Building democratic resilience - Panel II: Engineering new forms of democratic participation

10 years of supporting parliamentary democracy beyond the EU - Conclusions and way forward

10 years of supporting parliamentary democracy beyond the EU - Partnerships for democracy support

10 years of supporting parliamentary democracy beyond the EU - Creating parliamentary democratic culture through dialogue and consensus building

10 years of supporting parliamentary democracy beyond the EU - Comprehensive approach to the institutional reform and capacity development

10 years of supporting parliamentary democracy beyond the EU - What have we achieved and what have we learned?

Youth Democracy Event - Level Up! - Closing

Youth Democracy Event - Level Up! - Youth Talks

Youth Democracy Event - Level Up! - Opening

LIBE Working Group on Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG)

Press conference by Dubravka ŠUICA, EC Vice-President for Democracy and Demography and Jutta URPILAINEN, Commissioner for International Partnerships on the Youth Action Plan in EU external action for

Opening event of the ICONIC exhibition - How does an iconic photo help defend democracy?

Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at Copenhagen Democracy Summit

Press conference by Dragos Tudorache , Lead Member Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group, on programme Jean Monnet Dialogue with the Moldovan Parliament

Conference on the Future of Europe - workgroup on European democracy

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary - European Democracy

Občania, ktorí boli najdôležitejšia súčasť práce v rámci Konferencie o budúcnosti Európy, sa vrátili do Bruselu, aby sa pozreli na to, ako inštitúcie EÚ napredujú v otázke odporúčaní, ktorými chceli dosiahnuť zmenu. Konferencia sa ako jedinečná ukážka participatívnej demokracie uzavrela v máji 2022, pričom jej výsledkom boli desiatky návrhov, ktorými sa mala zabezpečiť schopnosť Európy zvládať budúce výzvy. Parlament, Rada aj Komisia od počiatku prisľúbili, že zabezpečia ďalší postup v oblasti záverečných návrhov, a to bez ohľadu na ich charakter. Zástupcovia troch inštitúcií 2. decembra odpovedali na otázky občanov na podujatí v rámci spätnej väzby v bruselskom Európskom parlamente.

Budúcnosť EÚ: občania sa pýtajú zástupcov inštitúcií na napredovanie v súvislosti s odporúčaniami

Press point by Guy VERHOFSTADT (Renew, BE), Mikuláš BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs and Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography after the end of the Feedback Event of the Conference on the Future of Europe. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Conference on the Future of Europe - Feedback Event: Joint Press point by Guy VERHOFSTADT (Renew, BE), Mikuláš BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs and Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission

The conference, dedicated to the 10th anniversary of European Parliament's democracy support activities is opened by President Roberta Metsola and bring together high-level speakers to reflect upon the lessons-earned from the past ten years and stake out the way ahead in setting future priorities and development of the European Parliament's democracy support. Extracts from the opening statements and atmosphere shots of the event, with special guests such as Pat COX, former EP President, Hauwa IBRAHIM, 2005 Sakharov Prize laureate, SAlih MAHMOUD OSMAN, 2007 Sakharov Prize Laureate and Leyla YUNUS, 2014 Sakharov finalist.

10 Years of Supporting Democracy beyond the EU (Democracy support and Election coordination Group (DEG)): atmosphere shots

To mark the 10th anniversary of Parliament's democracy support activities, MEPs and representatives of the democracy support community gather at a high-level event on ‘Supporting Parliamentary Democracy Worldwide: Building democratic resilience’. Roberta METSOLA, EP President, opens the event with a speech.

10 Years of Supporting Democracy beyond the EU: opening speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

MEPs vote on several texts, including Macro-Financial Assistance+' instrument for providing support to Ukraine for 2023, Assessment of Hungary's compliance with the rule of law conditions under the conditionality, regulation and state of play of the Hungarian RRP, Motion for resolution - Situation of human rights in the context of the FIFA world cup in Qatar.

Voting session, including Macro-Financial Assistance+' instrument for providing support to Ukraine for 2023, Assessment of Hungary's compliance with the rule of law conditions under the conditionality, and state of play of the Hungarian RRP

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144). The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus.

The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144). MEPs debate the Human rights situation in Afghanistan, especially the deterioration of women´s rights and attacks against educational institutions.

The Human rights situation in Afghanistan: deterioration of women´s rights and attacks against educational institutions

This slideshow celebrates the 70th anniversary of the European Parliament.

Slideshow: European Parliament - 70 years of European democracy in action

On 18 September 2022 the Commission proposed the freezing of €7.5 billion in EU funds for Hungary, citing corruption and public procurement concerns, after triggering the EU’s rule of law conditionality mechanism against Hungary in April. MEPs discuss the state of play of the negotiations between the Commission and Hungary linked to the protection of the EU budget and the recovery and resilience plan. Closing statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice.

State of play of the negotiations between the Commission and the Hungarian Government linked to the Conditionality Regulation and the RRP: closing statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

On 18 September 2022 the Commission proposed the freezing of €7.5 billion in EU funds for Hungary, citing corruption and public procurement concerns, after triggering the EU’s rule of law conditionality mechanism against Hungary in April. MEPs discuss the state of play of the negotiations between the Commission and Hungary linked to the protection of the EU budget and the recovery and resilience plan. Second part of the MEPs debate.

State of play of the negotiations between the Commission and the Hungarian Government linked to the Conditionality Regulation and the RRP: MEPs debate (part 2/2)

On 18 September 2022 the Commission proposed the freezing of €7.5 billion in EU funds for Hungary, citing corruption and public procurement concerns, after triggering the EU’s rule of law conditionality mechanism against Hungary in April. MEPs discuss the state of play of the negotiations between the Commission and Hungary linked to the protection of the EU budget and the recovery and resilience plan. First part of the MEPs debate.

State of play of the negotiations between the Commission and the Hungarian Government linked to the Conditionality Regulation and the RRP: MEPs debate (part 1/2)

On 18 September 2022 the Commission proposed the freezing of €7.5 billion in EU funds for Hungary, citing corruption and public procurement concerns, after triggering the EU’s rule of law conditionality mechanism against Hungary in April. MEPs discuss the state of play of the negotiations between the Commission and Hungary linked to the protection of the EU budget and the recovery and resilience plan. Opening statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice.

State of play of the negotiations between the Commission and the Hungarian Government on Conditionality Regulation and the RRP: opening statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

External and internal shots with illustrations of EP buildings, flags, corridors, chamber and logos "70 years of European democracy in action",

EP Plenary session (21-24/11): editing shots

Parliament is set to mark its 70 years at the heart of European democracy at a special ceremony.   &#xd;
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Members will vote on new rules to better protect the EU’s critical infrastructure from external threats. The sectors covered include energy, water management, healthcare, finance, public administration and even space.  &#xd;
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Parliament will finalise new rules aiming to raise the proportion of women in non-executive positions in the EU’s biggest companies.  &#xd;
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MEPs will also vote on the 2023 EU budget and on a resolution calling on the EU to designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism. All that and more, coming up in Strasbourg.

Parliament at 70, gender equality and budget – coming up in Parliament

Press conference on the latest developments of the Rule of Law conditionality regulation: Commission’s upcoming evaluation of the 17 remedial measures by Hungary. Statements by Petri SARVAMAA (EPP,FI), Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL (S&D, ES), co-rapporteurs, and by Moritz KÖRNER (Renew, DE), Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE). This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference on the EU Commission’s upcoming evaluation of the 17 remedial measures by Hungary by Petri SARVAMAA (EPP, FI), Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL (S&amp;D, ES), co-rapporteurs, Moritz KÖRNER (Renew, DE) and by Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE)

Európsky parlament oslavuje 70. výročie od svojho vzniku. Od svojho zrodu v roku 1952 má čoraz väčšiu moc, keďže vďaka európskemu projektu silnie a dostáva viac právomocí v oblastiach, na ktorých vám záleží. Dnes zastupuje takmer pol miliardy Európanov z 27 krajín. V retrospektíve si pozrite kľúčové udalosti, ktoré formovali domov európskej demokracie.

Parlament: 70 rokov európskej demokracie v praxi

This tutorial video explains how to search documents of the Archives of the European Parliament. Making almost half a million documents from 1952 to 1979 accessible to you, this tool helps you explore nearly 70 years of European democracy.

Zobrazujú 55 sa výsledky kanálov pre ""democracy""

Hearing of Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President-designate, Democracy and Demograp

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

Press freedom in the EU (2019- 2020)

Rule of law - 8th parliamentary term

Press freedom in Malta (2019-2020)

Rule of law in Poland (2019-2020)

Online Multilingualism Day 2020

Fight against disinformation (2019-2020)

Press freedom in the EU - 8th Parliamentary term

Election Observation Missions

EU - Lebanon

International election observation

Rule of law (2020)

Nelson Mandela

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans (2019-2020)