The European Commission and we organised an innovative European Citizens' Dialogue in The Hague on 16 and 17 May 2019. 120 randomly selected citizens from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France and Ireland discussed the future of Europe. The focus was on social, digital and global Europe. The citizens first drew up 12 reform proposals in 12 mixed table groups, which they then discussed with Ann Mettler, Director General of the European Political Strategy Centre of the European Commission and responsible for future issues.

The quality of democracy has deteriorated in many European countries. Populism is on the rise. What are the causes of these developments? What dangers does it pose for the European unification project if populists gain a lot of votes in the European elections? How can Europe’s democratic values be protected from populism? Shada Islam (Director for Europe and Geopolitics, Friends of Europe) gives answers.

The quality of democracy and governance has deteriorated in many European countries. Wolfgang Merkel (Director democracy and democratization, WZB Berlin Social Science) talks about the causes of this development. He explains why democracy in the Scandinavian states is more robust than in Eastern European countries, and how democracy and governance in Europe can be strengthened again.