The AUTHLIB consortium cordially invites you to the online discussion titled
European Responses to the Shrinking Spaces of Democracy
on
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
at
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. CET / 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. ET
REGISTER HERE
Across the European Union, illiberal actors are gaining influence and systematically challenge the institutional and normative foundations of liberal democracy from within. When such actors come to power, they often target key democratic pillars: media freedom and pluralism, civil society and freedom of association, and—amid intensifying culture-war dynamics—gender equality and minority rights. These pressures do not emerge in isolation: they are embedded in broader political, institutional, and societal vulnerabilities that weaken democratic resilience in some of the EU’s most vulnerable member states.
What are the most serious threats illiberal forces pose to media freedom, civil society, and gender equality and minority rights within the EU? What democratic guardrails and instruments exist at the EU and national levels, and how resilient are they in practice? What developments over the next 1–3 years require close monitoring and rapid response? Where are the most viable points of intervention to strengthen democratic resilience and limit the impact of illiberal actors?
This panel presents fresh insights from the Neo-authoritarianism in Europe and the Liberal Democratic Response (AUTHLIB) project and reflect on how illiberal challenges manifest themselves across critical policy areas inside the EU. Focusing on media freedom, civil society, and gender equality and rights, the discussion will seek to identify priority areas for policy action and coordination to strengthen democratic resilience and protect shrinking democratic spaces across Europe.
Speakers:
- Konrad Bleyer-Simon, Research Fellow, Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom, European University Institute
- Dániel Hegedűs, Regional Director, Transatlantic Foundation / The German Marshall Fund of the United States
- Mila Moshelova, Postdoctoral Researcher, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski
Chair:
- Zsuzsanna Végh, Program Officer, German Marshall Fund of the United States
REGISTER HERE
This event takes place in the framework of the “AUTHLIB – Neo-authoritarianisms in Europe and the Liberal Democratic Response” project.
Source: Suzanne Tucker via Shutterstock
