France, Germany and the future of democracy in Europe

While constituting a core principle of the European Union, democracy finds itself under pressure. The rise of populist parties, the disregard of the rule of law and the resulting democratic backsliding in some member states as well as the COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions on civil liberties are a stress test for European democracies. The current challenges raise fundamental questions: What does democracy mean in 2020? And how can we imagine the future of democracy in France, Germany and Europe?  

The panel discussion went beyond the democratic challenges of today and will look into the future. On the member state level, the spotlight was on the upcoming German federal election in 2021 and the French presidential election in 2022 and their implications also for the EU as a whole. On the European level, expectations of the Conference on the Future of Europe were discussed. Building on citizens’ dialogue and consultations, the Conference provided a platform for citizens and stakeholders to discuss the future of Europe. The Conference gave an important impulse to European democracy – though current COVID-19 restrictions require to develop new innovative forms of citizens’ involvement. 

The panel discussion brought together high-ranking representatives from politics, research and civil society. It is part of the Franco-German Dialogue Series funded by the Federal Foreign Office.