Is the European Union Democratic Enough?

By Gloria Aleotti

Democracy is going through hard times all around the world. And that includes Europe. Marked by Trump’s comeback, intensifying conflicts, the uncertain trajectory of far-right parties and a surge in public protests, 2025 proved to be a turbulent year. So far, 2026 shows little sign of reversing this trend. In this context, is the EU ready to safeguard its democracy, and does it have the right tools to address the challenges that threaten its internal unity and cohesion?

How EU Institutions Shape Democratic Governance

The European Union’s institutional structure is unique, and its decision-making system is continuously evolving. A total of 7 European institutions, 9 EU bodies and over 30 decentralised agencies are spread across the EU with the aim of working together to address the common interests of the EU and its people. All have their specific roles, from developing EU laws and policy-making to activities such as evaluating and supervising medicines and treatments or ensuring the food we eat is safe.

Three main institutions are at the core of the EU’s decision-making system. Together, they provide policy direction and play distinct roles in the legislative process. Their powers, responsibilities and procedures are defined in the Union’s founding treaties, namely the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (1957) and the Treaty on the European Union (1992). More recently, the Treaty of Lisbon (2007) introduced amendments and expanded certain institutional competencies. 

The European Commission is the EU’s executive body. It proposes legislation, ensures the implementation of EU policies, manages the budget and represents the EU internationally. Made up of one commissioner from each Member State, the Commission operates under the leadership of its President, nominated by the European Council and subject to confirmation by the European Parliament. After drafting legislation, the Commission submits proposals to the other institutions for approval, while also acting as the guardian of the EU treaties by ensuring that Member States comply with them. 

The European Parliament is the only institution directly elected by EU citizens, with elections held every 4 years. Its primary role is to debate, amend and approve legislation together with the Council of the European Union (following the so-called Ordinary Legislative Procedure). It also exercises oversight over the Commission, including its approval and the ability to dismiss it through a vote of no confidence. 

Finally, the Council of the European Union functions as the other half of the EU’s legislative branch, representing the governments of the Member States. Unlike the European Parliament, the Council’s composition changes depending on the policy area, with national ministers attending meetings according to the topic under discussion. 

In addition to the Ordinary Legislative Procedure, the Council is also involved in two other decision-making procedures in which the European Parliament has a more limited role. The Consent Procedure is used for particularly sensitive matters, such as EU enlargement or international agreements, and requires the Parliament’s approval without allowing it to propose amendments. The Consultation Procedure, on the other hand, involves the Parliament being consulted, but the final decision rests with the Council, and is implemented typically in policy areas where Member States retain greater sovereignty. 

EU citizens are central to the EU’s democratic process. They all have the right to vote in the European Parliament elections, but also in national elections, which directly or indirectly influence European elections and appointments. Moreover, like other governments worldwide, the EU executive is supported in its everyday activities by a civil service, the entry to which is open to all EU citizens through recruitment competitions run by the European Personnel Selection Office. 

Growing Criticism and Current Challenges

EU institutions have been tested by multiple crises, including Brexit, economic recessions (like the one that came as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic) and geopolitical tensions. In this context, the ongoing conflict in Iran and the anticipated fuel crisis add to an already complex set of challenges. These tensions often lead to criticism of the functioning of the EU’s political system. 

One of the main concerns expressed is the complexity of the various decision-making procedures, which can lead to slow and often inefficient responses, especially in times of crisis. Another key challenge lies in the difficulty of balancing national sovereignty with supranational governance, as Member States are known to be generally reluctant to transfer more power to EU institutions. This internal tension can result in inconsistent actions and policies, which in turn may undermine the Union’s credibility and, consequently, erode public trust. In addition, the diversity of national interests among Member States can make it even more difficult to reach consensus, further complicating an already complex decision-making process. 

European democracy has undoubtedly seen better days. While it is not experiencing the dramatic decline visible in the United States, the signs are evident. Polarisation and illiberal tendencies, once mainly associated with Central and Eastern Europe, have now spread to long-established democracies at the core of the EU. In Germany, the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), which was classified by German intelligence as a ‘proven far-right extremist entity’, is currently reaching record levels in opinion polls. In France, the far-right Reassemblement National (RN) holds the largest number of seats in the National Assembly and could potentially win the presidency in 2027. According to the Varieties of Democracy Institute, levels of polarisation in the country have reached ‘toxic’ proportions. 

However, despite all these challenges, it is true that the European Union does possess the tools needed to safeguard its core values, and first and foremost, its democracy. Ultimately, this capacity also rests in the ability of its citizens to make their voices heard. 

Citizen Participation as an Antidote to Democratic Decline

The European Union is not without flaws. However, according to the most recent Eurobarometer, support for the EU has never been stronger. In fact, the survey shows that three-quarters of EU citizens (74%) believe their country has benefited from being a member of the EU. This is the highest result ever recorded in a Eurobarometer for this question since it was first asked in 1983. Moreover, there is wide agreement among the respondents that EU Member States should be more united to face global challenges (89%) and that the EU needs more means to deal with the challenges ahead (76%). This clearly shows that people still believe in the European Union as a project capable of bringing about positive change. The question is how. 

If there is something history can teach us is that change does not simply come from institutions. It also depends on citizens. That is what democracy is ultimately about. In this context, voting in European Parliament elections means actually having a concrete way to shape the future of the Union. At the same time, active engagement in civil society can contribute to amplifying this impact even more. Initiatives such as ‘My Voice My Choice’show how what begins as the battle waged by a few can grow into a movement capable of mobilising people across Europe and ultimately influencing the institutions’ political agenda. 

According to Article 10 of the TEU, ‘the functioning of the Union shall be founded on representative democracy’. Real change in the EU is possible if citizens decide to take part. Perhaps, in today’s increasingly uncertain world, democracy can no longer be taken for granted. But for sure, it is something worth fighting for.