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European Democracy at a Crossroads

Date

14 October 2025

Time

15:45-19:00

Location

Council Room, Brucity, Rue des Halles, 4 in Brussels

Type of Event

Special pre-conference event

On invitation only

Organisation

Egmont Institute

Programme highlights :

Opening remarks: ‘The state of democracy, Europe and the world’ by Sophia Russack (TBC), Research Fellow at CEPS, Centre for European Policy Studies.

Panel 1: How democratic is Europe? A diagnosis of our democratic institutions
As the European political landscape evolves after the 2024 elections, we ask: how democratic is Europe today? We open the afternoon with a sharp, evidence-based assessment of the state of democracy, exploring key challenges and perspectives, including:

  • The meaning of the rule of law today, by a representative of DG Justice, European Commission.
  • The role of the media, by Ruth Kronenburg, Executive Director of Free Press Unlimited
  • Geopolitical view on Europe, by Anu Juvonen, Executive Director of Demo Finland
  • Lessons from the elections, (TBC)
The discussion will be moderated by Jean-Louis De Brouwer, Director of the European Affairs Programme at the Egmont Institute.

Panel 2: Bold ideas to innovate European democracies
The conversation goes further. We turn to the future, exploring bold reforms, innovations, and civic initiatives that could strengthen democracy in Europe, making it more robust, inclusive and influential on the global stage. Expect candid exchanges, diverse perspectives, and bold ideas for democratic renewal.

  • How Europe should be reformed, the perspective of civil society by Ken Godfrey, Executive Director of the European Partnership for Democracy
  • Giving challenging voices a platform, by David Van Reybrouck, writer, thinker and historian
  • Challenges and opportunities in the Central Europe states, by Eva Bordos, Director of DemNet Hungary
  • Should A.I. and technology also be part of the game? (TBC)

The discussion will be moderated by Anthony Zacharzewski, Director of the Democratic Society.

Closing words by a representative of the European Institutions.

This high-level pre-conference brings together diverse actors engaged with democracy to assess where we stand now — and to chart the ways forward from here.

Consult the full programme of the pre-conference here Pre-programme — DEMOCRACY R&D 2025