PhD student: Mrs N.M. Vissers

Promotors: Mrs Prof M.L.H.K. Claes, J.J.J. Sillen, Dr S. Hardt

Duration: 1/4/2023 - 31/3/2029

Abstract:

The constitutional foundations of various Member States are being undermined through incremental erosion of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights. The EU has intervened to protect the rule of law within MS, with the Court of Justice playing an important role through legal enforcement of this Article 2 TEU value. This project focuses on the safeguarding of another fundamental value: democracy. The research seeks to determine whether the principles giving concrete expression to democracy are judicially enforceable at EU level. What are the relevant legally binding obligations that Member States must adhere to in order to comply with these democratic principles? The research focuses on the element without which there can be no democracy, namely the requirement of free elections.