DISINFO: The EU is totally undemocratic
SUMMARY
The United States is the last country in which elements of democracy have remained. The European Union does not even have an illusion of democracy. There are no longer fair elections there, nor is there free press or competitive politics. Financial flows and people’s activities are totally controlled. Reprisals against the opposition are hushed up. Europe is being governed by oligarchic autocracy [... ].
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative accusing the European Union of a lack of democracy and corruption. This disinformation also plays with the classic trope of a conspiracy by the elite vs. the people.
Democracy, alongside human dignity, freedom, equality, rule of law and equal rights, is one of the core values of the EU. The functioning of the EU is founded on representative democracy. A European citizen automatically enjoys political rights. Every adult EU citizen has the right to stand as a candidate and to vote in elections to the European Parliament. EU citizens have the right to stand as a candidate and to vote in their country of residence, or in their country of origin.
It also represents a criteria for accession to the EU. In order to apply for EU membership, a country has to be European and respect democratic values, which include, inter alia, rule of law, contested elections, and free media. A functioning, market economy is also among the requirements.
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