A quiet revolution is underway in Central and Eastern Europe, where citizens and leaders are coming together in citizens’ assemblies to find solutions to the region’s democratic challenges. These assemblies, structured spaces where citizens deliberate on complex issues, offer a collaborative platform that empowers citizens to have a say in decisions that affect their lives. By diffusing polarization, combatting disinformation, and fostering cooperation, citizens’ assemblies are proving to be an effective tool for safeguarding democracy in the region.
In countries like Poland and Montenegro, citizens’ assemblies have successfully tackled issues such as air pollution, social inequalities, and corruption by bringing together diverse groups to reach consensus on recommendations. These successes highlight the potential of citizens’ assemblies to navigate contentious topics in a way that traditional politics often fails to do.
As authoritarian actors continue to thrive on division and distrust, citizens’ assemblies offer a way to push back by promoting informed, inclusive, and cooperative engagement among citizens. However, for these assemblies to become a sustainable feature of Eastern Europe’s democratic landscape, they must be integrated into the formal political system through legal frameworks and consistent funding.
While the battle for democracy in Eastern Europe remains ongoing, the resilience shown by ordinary citizens and forward-thinking leaders in citizens’ assemblies offers hope for the future. By supporting this democratic innovation, governments may find that empowering the people is the best way to defend democracy in the region.
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