BRUSSELS, Belgium – The inaugural EU Parliamentary Democracy Forum convened in the European Parliament on November 19, 2025, bringing together Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and national parliamentarians to forge a stronger defense for democracy across Europe. The high-level event, organized by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS), focused on tackling challenges like declining public trust, political polarization, and rising hybrid threats.
The day’s agenda featured prominent figures, including European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Maria Ressa, emphasizing the critical role of parliamentary institutions in safeguarding democratic values.
Opening Session: Parliaments as Democracy’s Defenders
The Forum commenced with an urgent discussion titled “The Role of Parliaments in Defending Democracy.”
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola delivered a powerful opening address, setting the tone for the forum. A vocal and firm supporter of democratic resilience, President Metsola, who was recently re-elected to her role, has prioritized reforms for a more accountable Parliament and active outreach across EU Member States.
Following her, Søren Gade, Speaker of the Danish Parliament, shared perspectives from a national legislature. Gade, a former Danish Minister of Defence, highlighted the vital connections between national and European democratic bodies.
In a highly anticipated Keynote Intervention, journalist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate María Ressa contributed virtually. Ressa, co-founder of Rappler, centered her remarks on the fight for press freedom and the breakdown of the global information ecosystem, urging “interconnected communities of action” to protect democratic values.
Session I: Strengthening Democracy Through Citizen Engagement
The first formal session, “STRENGTHENING PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY THROUGH CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT,” explored innovative ways to revitalize public trust, which recent surveys indicate is under pressure.
Eroding Trust in Focus:
Recent data underscores the urgency of this discussion. A 2023 Eurobarometer revealed that nearly half of respondents were either “not satisfied or not at all satisfied” with how democracy worked in their countries. Furthermore, a 2025 European Movement International survey alarmingly showed that only 36% of respondents were consistent supporters of democracy. The global trend mirrors this, with the Democracy Index 2024 reporting the average score falling to 5.17—its lowest since the index began in 2006.
The session focused on expanding democratic processes beyond traditional elections, particularly highlighting the increasing use of Citizens’ Panels and Assemblies. These bodies, exemplified by the 2021-2022 Conference on the Future of Europe, bring together randomly selected citizens—including a considerable one-third of young people aged 16 to 25 in the Conference panels—to issue recommendations on key policy matters.
Expert and Parliamentary Debate:
- Kalypso Nicolaidis, Chair in Global Affairs at the EUI, provided a scene-setter on these innovative participatory tools.
- The open debate featured insights from parliamentarians, including Sven Simon, Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, and Nicolae Ștefănuță, Vice-President for Relations with European civil society organizations.
- They were joined by national figures: José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, President of the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal, and Raya Nazaryan, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria.
Session II: Addressing the Scourge of Political Polarization
After the lunch break, the Forum reconvened for “OVERCOMING POLITICAL POLARISATION,” a session dedicated to analyzing deepening ideological divisions and the rising violence targeting politicians.
Ken Godfrey, Executive Director of the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), delivered the scene-setter, framing the global challenge of fragmentation.
Panelists discussed practical measures for fostering dialogue and reducing political toxicity. Key speakers included:
- Javier Zarzalejos, Chair of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE).
- Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Latvian Parliament, sharing national strategies for democratic cohesion.
- Katarina Barley, Vice-President for Relations with National Parliaments, bringing her experience as a former German Federal Minister.
- Kamzy Gunaratnam, a Member of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Norway and a survivor of the 2011 Utøya terrorist attack, who offered a poignant perspective on fighting extremism and strengthening democratic resilience.
Conversation with Commissioner Michael McGrath
Mid-afternoon featured a dedicated conversation with Michael McGrath, the newly appointed EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection. Chaired by European Parliament Vice-President Esteban González Pons, the discussion outlined the Commissioner’s mandate, which includes upholding the rule of law, tackling disinformation, and protecting fundamental rights across the Union.
Session III: Building Resilience Against Hybrid Threats
The final thematic session, “BUILDING RESILIENCE,” moved from internal divisions to external threats, focusing on the defense mechanisms needed to protect democracies.
Paula Gori, Secretary-General and Coordinator of the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO), introduced the discussion on hybrid threats, foreign interference, disinformation, and cyber vulnerabilities.
This session directly addressed policies aligned with the proposed European Democracy Shield. Participants debated the role of technology in both exposing and strengthening democratic processes. The open debate included:
- Nathalie Loiseau, Chair of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS).
- Radu Marian, Chair of the Economic, Budget and Finance Committee of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, underscoring the view from an EU candidate country.
- Peeter Tali, Chair of the EU Affairs Committee of the Parliament of the Republic of Estonia.
- George Papandreou, General Rapporteur on Democracy for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
Closing Session: Towards a Parliamentary Partnership
The Forum concluded with a session focused on institutionalizing the cooperative spirit of the day, titled “TOWARDS A PARTNERSHIP ON PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY.”
Esteban González Pons and Katarina Barley, both Vice-Presidents for Relations with National Parliaments, closed the formal proceedings, emphasizing the need for continued, structured engagement between the European Parliament and its counterparts in national capitals.
The first EU Parliamentary Democracy Forum successfully initiated a vital cross-parliamentary dialogue, setting a precedent for coordinated action to strengthen democratic systems against a backdrop of increasing internal skepticism and external threats.
EU Parliamentary Democracy Forum
https://parliamentjournal.com/2025/08/27/ipus-6th-world-conference-of-speakers-of-parliament-geneva-hosts-100-parliament-speakers/