By: Tobias Spöri, Neele Eilers
The 2024 European Parliament elections reflect the ongoing trend of far-right parties gaining ground across Europe. While the anticipated rightward shift did take place, it was less pronounced than feared. The frequently used phrase “the centre holds” proved accurate. Nevertheless, the election results should not distract from the urgent need to address the widespread societal pessimism and dissatisfaction with both national and EU governance – issues that continue to fuel the support of radical or extreme parties throughout Europe. Against this background, the authors of this Policy Brief examine public opinion data collected in eight EU member states. They provide a nuanced perspective on the prevailing political attitudes and concerns of European citizens and offer policy recommendations.

By: Olena Pokotilo
The attractiveness of the European Union is based on its economic and social model as well as on its manifold national cultural heritage. Throughout the post-Cold War period, the EU has not actively promoted pan-European myths and struggles today with creating a cohesive and credible common narrative. In this context, the author of this Policy Brief argues that to maintain its unity amidst global instability and evolving political landscapes, the EU must develop new, meaningful myths. She discusses the characteristics of the myth-design of the Union and offers policy recommendations.

By: Sylvia Kritzinger, Katharina Pfaff
With the election to the European Parliament citizens’ attitudes towards both the EP elections and the European integration are back in the focus of political and societal stakeholders. Questions like their interest in the election to the European Parliament, their likelihood to vote, their stance on European unification, and policy measures they consider important for the future of the EU are in the centre of interest. In this context, the authors of this Policy Brief analysed the Austrian citizens’ attitudes towards the EP elections and their views on the future of the EU in light of the upcoming EP election. They provide valuable insights for political and societal stakeholders ahead of the election and offer policy recommendations.

By: Dietmar Pichler
Election times are always accompanied by an increased amount of disinformation from both domestic and foreign actors. In particular, international actors see them as a prime opportunity to sway public opinion and potentially affect election outcomes. This applies to both the elections to the European Parliament as well as the parliamentary elections of individual member states. In this context, the author of this Policy Brief analyses the present threats posed by disinformation and foreign interference within the EU, outlines strategies to address these challenges, and offers policy recommendations for the EU and EU member states.

By: Sarina Bakić
The author of this Policy Brief presents a broader overview of some of the most significant aspects regarding the role of media in building democracy in terms of the reinforcement and affirmation of minorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, whether as a result of ethnic background, religious belief, sexual orientation, geographic location, income level, etc. Once the mentioned media’s support and affirmation of minorities is accomplished, such groups can effusively participate in and contribute to this country's institutions and society in general. This is an attempt to revive and reconsider the issue related to minority cultural identities and communication via media in the context of the democratisation process in general. It is very much needed to open new discussions related to media and democracy due to the current global political crisis that is reflecting in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s media sphere as well.

By: Nikola Mumin, Marija Popović Kalezić
Montenegro has been experiencing a crisis in democracy for several years now. The authors of this Policy Brief explore the role that local communities (LCs) have and/or can have within the context of democratic elections, democratic governing, and institutional reforms in Montenegro. Against this background, they recommend that the democratic potential that lies in local communities, as legally defined governing bodies, needs to be utilised in order to address the ongoing crisis of democratic governing in Montenegro and help the country accelerate key reforms in the EU accession process.

By: Isak Missini, Dimitar Nikolovski
At the local elections of 2021 in North Macedonia, eight independent groups with green politics ran for municipal councillors. The relative successes and failures of the two most visible groups “Green Humane City” and “Chance for Centar” point to a public interest in solutions beyond partisan politics but also to certain shortcomings in terms of cooperation, transparency, and strategic communications. Against this background, the authors of this Policy Brief analyse their work in the Skopje municipality of Centar and give policy recommendations on their internal functioning, forming strategic coalitions, and communication with various stakeholders.

By: Dominic Maugeais
The author of this Policy Brief claims that the EU pre-accession process in the Western Balkans needs stronger political support for democratisation by the European Union (EU) and its member states. Only progress on the democratisation path can lead to a successful and sustainable transformation of the EU candidate countries. Once EU accession negotiations are opened, the EU should keep its monitoring and involvement at a high level, since as long as the accession perspective is not underlined with a realistic accession date, the processes are becoming a bureaucratic window dressing exercise.

By: Venera Hajrullahu, Taulant Hoxha, Dren Puka
When Kosovo was preparing to declare its independence in 2008, it was facing a unique challenge and opportunity: pursuing internal reforms for national state building while simultaneously putting itself on a path of Europeanisation. The internal reforms aimed at transforming the country into a future EU member state. Despite significant progress in democratic indicators, Kosovo still has a long way to go before realising its full potential for inclusive policy and decision-making, argue the authors of this Policy Brief. Against this background, they analyse standards for public participation as a formal opportunity for engagement in decision-making and civil society as an effective tool for channelling citizens’ needs and voices.