Democratic Failures in the European Union: A Liberticidal Drift?
The European Union presents itself as a bastion of democracy and fundamental rights. However, several recent and past events have raised questions about the respect of democratic principles within the EU. Among these events, the 2005 French referendum on the European Constitutional Treaty, the alleged interventionism of Ursula von der Leyen in the Italian elections, and the annulment of the elections in Romania illustrate worrying trends that could be interpreted as a liberticidal and anti-democratic drift.
European Union liberticide
The 2005 Referendum in France: An Ignored Demos
In 2005, the French were consulted by referendum on the treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. The result was clear: 54.67% of voters rejected the text , thus expressing their opposition to the enlargement and deepening of the European Union. This vote reflected a growing distrust of a Europe perceived as too technocratic, far removed from the concerns of citizens, and favouring excessive economic liberalization.
NO to EU enlargement.
Democratic Failures in the European Union
Demonstration against EU enlargement in 2005.
Yet, instead of respecting this democratic verdict, European and French political elites circumvented the result. The Lisbon Treaty, adopted in 2007, took up most of the provisions of the rejected constitutional treaty, but this time without directly consulting citizens through a referendum. This circumvention was perceived as a disregard for the popular will and an anti-democratic act, reinforcing the feeling that the EU operates outside traditional democratic frameworks.
Ursula von der Leyen's Interventionism in the Italian Elections
In 2022, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sparked controversy when she reacted to the Italian general elections. As the right-wing coalition led by Giorgia Meloni (Fratelli d’Italia party) appeared set to win the election, von der Leyen said: “If things go in a difficult direction, we have the tools to respond.” This statement was interpreted as an implicit threat to the democratic choice of Italians.
The intervention raised questions about the respect for member states’ sovereignty and the neutrality that the European Commission should embody. By suggesting that the EU could “use tools” to influence or sanction a democratically elected government, von der Leyen fuelled the idea that the EU is prepared to override democratic principles to impose its political vision.
Democracy in danger
Democratic Failures in the European Union.
The Cancellation of Elections in Romania
In Romania, another episode cast a shadow over democratic practices within the EU. In 2020, the Romanian government cancelled local elections in several cities, officially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this decision was seen by many as a pretext to prevent opposition candidates from achieving significant victories. The cancellation sparked criticism over respect for democratic processes and the possibility of governments using exceptional circumstances to consolidate their power.
A Liberticidal and Anti-Democratic Drift?
These events, taken together, suggest a worrying trend within the EU: a liberticidal and anti-democratic drift which is manifested by:
Contempt for the Popular Will : The circumvention of the 2005 French referendum shows that European elites are willing to ignore democratic results when they do not fit their political goals.
Interference in National Democratic Processes : Ursula von der Leyen's statements and the cancellation of elections in Romania illustrate a tendency to interfere with citizens' democratic choices, whether through implicit threats or unilateral decisions.
Centralisation of Power : These actions reflect an increasing centralisation of power within European institutions, to the detriment of the sovereignty of Member States and citizen participation.
Weakening Citizen Trust : These democratic failures fuel Euroscepticism and reinforce the idea that the EU is an opaque entity, unaccountable to its citizens.
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