How to Restore Democracy in Europe After Illiberal Rule
The European public broadcaster ARTE asks in its weekly programme how democratic institutions can be rebuilt in Poland, Hungary and Serbia. It says the rule of law cannot be restored overnight and notes criticism of the Polish prime minister's methods.
The European public broadcaster ARTE has devoted its weekly programme to the question of how to rebuild democratic institutions in countries where illiberal political forces have weakened them for years. The examples include Poland, Hungary and Serbia. The programme's makers stress that winning an election is only the first step, and that new political leaders across Europe must then set about restoring institutions.
Illiberal forces and a difficult road back
The illiberal forces named as examples are Poland's Law and Justice party, Hungary's Viktor Orbán and Serbia's Aleksandar Vučić. The programme's description says the political winds have changed, but the rule of law cannot be restored instantly.
The Polish example
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is fighting hard over the Constitutional Tribunal, the country's top constitutional court. Critics, however, point out that he too is using undemocratic methods.
About the programme
The show is produced by ARTE and published in ten languages through cooperation with El País (Spain), Gazeta Wyborcza (Poland), Internazionale (Italy), Kathimerini (Greece), Le Soir (Belgium), Telex (Hungary), the magazine Ir (Latvia), Balkan Insight (the Balkans) and Sinopsis (Romania). The project is funded by the European Union from European Media Platforms funds.
