The study draws on historical and contemporary writings that present various arguments against democracy. After breaking down the elements of the current autocratic surge and the narratives behind, it evaluates the EU's responses to support democracy in its external actions in recent years. The paper concludes that although many policy areas have been strengthened, effectively countering this rise in authoritarianism continues to be a significant challenge. It follows up with some recommendations for European institutions and Member States for adapting their democracy support strategy accordingly.
The next meeting of the Subcommittee on Human Rights is scheduled to take place on 24 and 25 September 2025 in Brussels.
Civil society voices shared testimonies and analysis of situations on the ground after the conclusion of those informal agreements, which include but are not limited to migration and asylum-related measures. Representatives of the EU Commission, the European External Action Service and the European Court of Accounts explained EU action in the field, also against the background of the upcoming EU Pact for the Mediterranean. Each panel was followed by a Q&A session with MEPs.