“To activate the blocking statute we don’t need a European army, we don’t need military power, we don’t need geostrategical influence, or money, we just need political will.” This is what Marco Cappato, founder of Eumans, stated in front of…
The 2026 parliamentary election in Hungary marks a turning point after 16 years of rule by Viktor Orbán. The victory of Péter Magyar and the Tisza movement, with an extraordinary turnout of around 78%, reflects strong citizen demand for democratic…
The next European multiannual budget is crucial for Europe’s future. At a moment when Europe’s democratic model is challenged from all sides, it is crucial that the way the budget is designed, the way it is allocated, the way it…
The European Commission proposed a European Democracy Shield in November 2025. There is no doubt democracy is under threat in Europe, and we support the measures outlined in the Shield as far as they go. In particular, the shield prioritises…
Europe continues to trap itself in a permanent state of political emergency. From geopolitical instability and economic uncertainty to climatic-pandemic breakdowns and democratic backsliding, crisis management has become the dominant mode of governance. Yet rather than strengthening democracy and citizen…
2025
Sep 16th
Strengthening European Democracy: Transparency, Accountability, and Transnational Civic Space
As a transnational coalition of NGOs committed to safeguarding democratic integrity and civic participation at the European level, Citizens Take Over Europe welcomes the recent advances on the ‘Statute and Funding of European Political Parties and Foundations’ which follows the…
The Hungarian government of Victor Orban has banned public events in support of LGBTQI+ rights including Budapest Pride, scheduled for the 28th June this year. Advanced surveillance technology has been authorised for use on the civilian population to identify anyone…
It is alarming in this context that the role of the European Parliament appears to be weaker and weaker in the discussion over Europe’s future direction, and political debate across the continent is taking place in national bubbles, but also without the national parliaments having a very important role in most cases.
To members of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield
Citizens Take Over Europe calls on each of the European Institutions to reinforce inclusive and participatory democratic procedures, transparency and accountability over the coming years, and steadfastly promote and defend fundamental rights and the rule of law both inside the European Union and outside.