The European Union is built on a set of supposedly shared values among its Member States, defined in the Treaties as "human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights". But democratic backsliding means that even if a Member State 'signs up' for these at time of accession, it's no guarantee that this commitment will remain during their membership.

In this episode of EU Democracy Explained, the second in a two-part mini-series on democratic backsliding in Europe, Hugh Evans explains why Article 7, infringement procedures, and the rule of law conditionality regulation may not be all they're cracked up to be in terms of protecting the quality of democracy in the EU. We also look at what might change in future, looking ahead to the new Commission under President Ursula von der Leyen.

EU Democracy Explained is a series where we delve into detail about what democracy actually is and how it works in Europe, and ask ourselves: “what makes the EU democratic?”

Script, Recording & Editing: Hugh Evans

Music: Wondershare Filmora X

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

We all have a basic instinct for what kinds of governments are and aren't democratic, but have you ever thought about how to actually define 'democracy'? It's harder than you might expect...

In this video, Hugh Evans asks a crucial question: is democracy failing in the EU? The European Union's democracy is built on a foundation of dual legitimacy provided by directly elected MEPs on the one hand and democratically elected national governments on the other. So what happens if one of these national governments becomes undemocratic?

EU Democracy Explained is a series where we delve into detail about what democracy actually is and how it works in Europe, and ask ourselves: “what makes the EU democratic?”

Script, Recording & Editing: Hugh Evans

Music: Wondershare Filmora X

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

In this video, Hugh Evans explores the ways in which national politicians, in addition to their role in the legislative process via the Council, can help steer the overall direction of the European Union. To this, we need to focus on an EU institution that is not actually part of the legislative process. This is the place where the Heads of State or Government meet to discuss pressing issues, react to crises, and set the European agenda: the European Council.

EU Democracy Explained is a series where we delve into detail about what democracy actually is and how it works in Europe, and ask ourselves: “what makes the EU democratic?”

Script, Recording & Editing: Hugh Evans

Music: Wondershare Filmora X

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.