18/06/2024 Political Affairs and Democracy
Faced with democratic backsliding in Europe, marked by the weakening of the separation and balance of powers and the restriction of freedoms, the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy, which met in Oslo on 30 and 31 May, called on member States to “adopt participatory and deliberative democracy processes at national, regional and local level”, by providing in particular for the availability of legal framework, a clear mandate, fair representation and competent facilitation.
“Citizens should be given an active role in the political debate beyond the context of elections,” the parliamentarians emphasised, “with different levels of engagement, ranging from simple information sessions and consultations, to focus groups, participatory platforms and the establishment of deliberative bodies, such as citizens' assemblies”.
In adopting the report by George Papandreou (Greece, SOC), the committee also proposed institutionalising participatory and deliberative democracy processes at all levels, adopting the necessary legislation or regulations and allocating the appropriate financial and human resources, in order to create permanent and legitimate citizens' bodies that can operate side by side with executive and legislative ones.
Finally, the committee recommended that the member States ensure that social media, digital platforms and artificial intelligence tools to facilitate participatory democracy processes are inclusive, transparent and safe from unwanted interferences and cyberattacks, and that they are not manipulated through algorithms.