Ex-EU commissioner Věra Jourová plus other leading figures on Monday (1 June) launched Democracy27 – a new initiative to strengthen participation across the bloc and restore citizens’ trust in EU institutions ahead of the 2027 political cycle.
“People say they value democracy, yet many are unhappy with how it works. This is why we are here,” Jourová said in Brussels, unveiling the initiative.
“We need to understand why confidence in democracy is eroding and find solutions.”
Democracy27 is born out of a paradox reflected in recent surveys. While 77 percent of Europeans say democracy is important, 64 percent are dissatisfied with how it functions in practice, according to a 2025 survey from Pew Research.
The project brings together a diverse group of senior politicians, academics and civil society figures to examine the growing disconnect between Europeans and their democratic systems.
