MCEL Opening Event 2025-2026: The EU and Democracy in the Member States

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followed by a drinks reception from 16:00-17:00.

 

The Maastricht Centre for European Law (MCEL) invites you to its Opening Event 2025–2026, dedicated to the theme 'The EU and Democracy in the Member States.'  EU institutions show a growing interest in national democratic processes and the state of democracy in EU Member States. The EU interest is not only driven by constitutional crises in certain Member States, but also by broader horizontal concerns with democratic threats arising from private actors, including tech giants, and foreign interference. The MCEL Opening Event 2025-2026 reflects on the growing role of the EU in protecting democracy in the European multilevel system, and assesses current democratic initiatives adopted or proposed at the EU level.

The event aims to bring together motivated students, MCEL members, and experts from academia and the EU institutions. The event will also launch this year's edition of the MCEL Master Thesis Project on the same topic. 

Speakers:

  • Gráinne de Búrca, Professor of Law, European University Institute
  • Julien Mousnier, Director for Rule of Law, Fundamental Rights and Democracy, DG Justice and Consumers, European Commission
  • Ineta Ziemele, Judge at the Court of Justice of the European Union

Following their talks, a roundtable discussion will take place with:

  • Monica Claes, Professor of European and Comparative Constitutional Law
  • Valentina Golunova, Assistant Professor in Digital Democracy

To register, please click on the green button to the right. We look forward to seeing you on the 3rd of October! 

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