International Political Dialogue - Assessing the development of democracy in Central and Eastern Europe and in the Western Balkans [printable version]
Assessing the development of democracy in Central and Eastern Europe and in the Western Balkans
The Dialogue Programme Brussels of Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit hosted on 5 December 2007 a roundtable entitled „How stable is democracy in the new Central and Eastern European member states and in the Western Balkans – The example of political parties” within its Liberal Visions 2020 event series.
Robert Benjamin, NDI (left)and UlrichNiemann, FNSt
Robert Benjamin, Regional Director for Central and Eastern Europe of the National Democratic Institute, Washington D.C. and Ulrich Niemann, Regional Director for Central, South East and East Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia of Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit, Sofia analysed the developing political landscape and assessed the role of political parties in the region.
Although full members of the European Union, a considerable number of countries in Central and Eastern Europe have not yet developed a set of values which correspond with common values in the European Union. Parties have not yet found their political and ideological base and use populist and nationalistic messages to win potential voters over. The electorate traditionally distrusts the political parties and their elites and has no strong attachment to the parties which emerged after the fall of communist dictatorships.
Susanne Hartig, Director Programmes, Dialogue Programme Brussels led through the discussion
According to the speakers it will take at least one generation to build stable and reliable democracies. A young and promising political elite is already emerging according to Benjamin and Niemann. However, the international community cannot afford to apply a “wait and see” policy but needs to engage even more actively in training young potential decision makers.
Political parties as a cornerstone of functioning democracies need first and foremost to gain credibility to break through the democracy fatigue in Central and Eastern Europe and in the Western Balkans.
