They ensure our democratic values are protected and strengthened, and create the framework for democratic processes to take place legitimately. Just as rules give meaning to a football match, democratic processes give legitimacy to our proud European way of life. The European Democracy Shield presented by the European Commission last November will help to ensure that a referee remains part of the match. The European Parliament building in Strasbourg with a banner saying ‘70 years of European democracy in action’. The new European Centre for Democratic Resilience is a flagship initiative of the European Democracy Shield.

Source: Irish Examiner February 25, 2026 01:14 UTC