election-watch.eu

Brussels, 24 June 2026. Election-Watch.EU participated in the European Commission’s High-Level Event on Democracy, organised by the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST) as part of the development of the European Democracy Shield. The conference demonstrated that the European Democracy Shield is increasingly evolving from a legislative initiative into a broader framework aimed at strengthening democratic resilience across the European Union.

The event brought together EU institutions, Member States, civil society organisations, academia, media representatives and international organisations to discuss how to strengthen democratic resilience across Europe.

Democracy ultimately depends on trust

One of  the strongest messages throughout the conference was that democratic resilience is fundamentally built on public trust. Speakers repeatedly stressed that legislation alone cannot protect democracy if citizens no longer trust democratic institutions or feel excluded from political decision-making.

Trust is built locally, through meaningful participation, responsive institutions and transparent decision-making rather than solely through regulation.

From reacting to building resilience

The discussions highlighted a significant shift in EU thinking. Rather than focusing only on responding to disinformation campaigns, increasing emphasis is now being placed on preventing democratic erosion by strengthening societal resilience before crises emerge.

The proposed European Centre for Democratic Resilience is expected to become an important coordination platform bringing together Member States, candidate countries, civil society and researchers to exchange good practices, develop practical guidance and strengthen preparedness against democratic threats.

Full implementation matters more than new legislation

Several speakers argued that the EU already possesses a comprehensive legislative framework—including the Digital Services Act, AI Act and Regulation on Political Advertising—but that effective implementation and enforcement should now become the priority. Civil society organisations also stressed the importance of ensuring sufficient resources for implementation and preserving an independent civic space.

Artificial Intelligence presents opportunities and risks

The dedicated panel on AI recognised both the opportunities and challenges that AI presents for electoral processes. Discussions highlighted AI’s potential to improve voter information, citizen engagement and electoral administration while also raising concerns regarding synthetic political content, personalised manipulation, algorithmic bias, transparency, and growing dependence on private technology providers.

Participants broadly agreed that transparency, human oversight and responsible use principles will be essential as AI becomes increasingly integrated into election administration and political campaigning.

Participation is the strongest defence against democratic erosion

The final sessions focused on civic participation and democratic innovation. Numerous speakers emphasised that citizens should not merely be consulted but become genuine partners in democratic governance. Successful examples from Finland, local governments and civic technology initiatives demonstrated that combining digital participation with face-to-face deliberation can strengthen democratic legitimacy when participation is properly embedded into policymaking.

Moving Forward

These insights underscore the essential roles of independent civil society oversight in the practical implementation of the European Democracy Shield. Translating regulatory frameworks and policies into transparent and  inclusive realities on the ground remains a central priority. Election-Watch.EU continues to advocate for strong observer accreditation standards and to foster meaningful, proactive citizen engagement in the safeguarding of democratic infrastructures.

AI and elections, European Commission, european democracy shield, FIMI