Democracy Week: How Democracy Copes with Covid-19

The conference to be held by the European Parliament from 14 to 17 September will consider the challenges posed by the Covid-19 crisis to democratic systems.
The spread of coronavirus in 2020 has not only endangered people’s lives, but has also changed the way they work, communicate and make political decisions.

On the occasion of International Democracy Day on 15 September, the European Parliament is hosting a conference focusing on the effects of the crisis on democracy and fundamental freedoms.
The event is co-organized with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), the European Endowment for Democracy (EED), the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP) and Carnegie Europe.

MEPs, representatives of other EU institutions and NGOs will discuss how to counter the limitations of democratic scrutiny and balance and civic participation, and support the functioning of democratic systems.

A series of discussions will focus on the different ways in which Covid-19 influences democratic institutions.
A political debate on Monday, September 14 at 2.30pm will discuss the state of global democracy during the pandemic.

A panel discussion will be held at the conference:

- How digital technologies are changing the political landscape (Tuesday, 18.00)
- The impact of Covid-19 on the media and the increase in misinformation (Wednesday, 15.00)
- How political parties act in a pandemic (Wednesday, 5 pm)
- Protests in Belarus (Thursday, 10.30)
- How parliaments organize network to adapt to pandemic challenges (Thursday, 2.30 pm)

All sessions will be broadcast live on Parliament's website.
You can also join the chat on social media with the hashtag # DemocracyWeek2020.

Watch the program and sign up

More on the European Parliament's website.