Source: European Parliament
The Commission is monitoring the developments in Slovakia. An environment enabling political pluralism, equality in the democratic debate as well as freedom of expression and association is an essential component of democracies.
Democratic accountability and transparency are also key elements of well-functioning democracies. The proposed Directive on interest representation carried out on behalf of third countries lays down balanced and proportionate transparency requirements accompanied with strong safeguards to prevent misuse.
Such internal market standards should apply to all economic operators carrying out interest representation activities in the internal market impacting the regulatory and decision-making process in the EU, regardless of their legal form.
The Commission is preparing the European Democracy Shield, as announced in the Political Guidelines[1]. It will constitute a horizontal strategic framework to better protect and promote democracy, in full compliance with fundamental rights and democratic principles including freedom of expression and of association.
- [1] https://commission.europa.eu/document/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683-f63ffb2cf648_en