Assessing the development of democracy in Central and Eastern Europe and in the Western Balkans

Robert Benjamin, NDI (left)and Ulrich Niemann, 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.