Network calls for more funding for democracy on the eve of the State of the Union

In the statement released the day before the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, gave the second speech on the State of the Union of the new mandate, the European Partnership for Democracy (EDP) calls on EU leaders “to place the funding of democracy at the heart of the next Multiannual Financial Framework”, which will support the priorities now chosen.

This network that includes the Portuguese Catholic University argues that “support for democracy runs the risk of being one of the victims of this process, even though it has never been so clearly linked to Europe’s own security”, by being second to priorities such as defence, security and migration management.

“ This is a wrong choice. Campaigns for misinformation, foreign interference in elections, attacks on pluralist media and the erosion of the civic space are not separate issues from the European security agenda, they are on their frontline,” he said.

According to the EDP, it is democratic institutions that “allow societies to resolve conflicts, hold leaders accountable, and resist authoritarian capture without resorting to violence or collapse.”.

“ When these institutions are weakened – or emptied from the inside – space is made for precisely the instability and hostile influence that defence budgets seek to combat. A security strategy that finances the defence and management of borders, while silently reducing the funding of institutions that prevent conflicts and displacements at their origin, is not a coherent strategy, it is a costly strategy”, he regrets.

The call comes at a time when negotiations are underway on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the EU budget for 2028 to 2034.

On Wednesday, Ursula von der Leyen should, in her speech on the State of the Union, list the priorities to be financed.

Through a new initiative “When do we forget?” the network questions whether it will be possible to strengthen European security while reducing support for democratic institutions.

“ Supporting democracy is not a luxury, it is a strategic investment in stability, security and human development. If Europe does not defend it, who will? ", questions the president of the EDP network, Anu Juvonen, quoted in the statement.

The EDP therefore calls for democracy, the rule of law and the civic space to be considered part of the EU's security and resilience architecture.

The organisation also warns of the weakening of the international democracy support system, estimated at USD 60 billion (about EUR 51 billion) the current deficit in global funding of this area.

The Portuguese Catholic University is part of the EDP network, which brings together 21 organizations supporting democracy with activity in more than 150 countries, with projects in areas such as electoral integrity, civic education, media freedom, citizen participation and democratic governance.