President von der Leyen announced a new European Democracy Shield, to increase the resilience of European democratic institutions. 

Perycles contribute one of 1574 reactions to this initiative. Please find the complete statement here:

In a nutshell, the PERYCLES Consortium welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to establish the European Democracy Shield, emphasizing its importance in safeguarding democracy. We support the Commission’s problem analysis and policy direction but urge the inclusion of digital democracy platforms in the framework. The Consortium highlights how digitalization has transformed political discourse, often undermining democratic engagement and trust. We argue that well-designed digital platforms can counteract these effects by fostering informed citizen participation and improving communication between citizens and policymakers. Ultimately, we advocate for a proactive approach that enhances democracy through digital tools, not just defends it from threats.