Between Democracy and Authoritarianism in Central & Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans

www.globsec.org Author ?

Miroslava Sawiris Countries surveyed Research Fellow

Democracy & Resilience Center

Methodology

The outcomes and findings of this report are based on public opinion poll surveys carried out in September and October 2020 on a representative sample of the population in nine countries: , Czechia, Hungary, Montenegro, , , Romania, and Slovakia. The Poland surveys were conducted on a sample of 1000 respondents using stratified multistage random sampling in the form of computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. In all countries, the profiles of the respondents were representative of the country according to gender, age, education, place of Czechia residence and size of settlement. For the purposes of graphical data Slovakia visualisation, the results were rounded to full numbers. To improve the readers’ experience, the responses in closed questions with a scale were generalised. For example, a question with options definitely agree/ rather Hungary agree/ rather disagree /definitely Romania disagree was merged to agree / disagree.

Table of contents Serbia

04 Introduction 06 How popular is democracy? Bulgaria 12 How popular are authoritarian practices? 18 Rights versus threats Montenegro 22 Recommendations for democratic actors North Macedonia Introduction Key findings

Central and Eastern fuelled violence and conflict; emerging digital world. The global pandemic creative enterprises and rampant has only further accelerated these Europe and the and pervasive corruption; economic processes and laid bare the contest Western Balkans opportunities and crippling depression; between democratic and non- Democratic are distinct regions, a vibrant civil society and democratic democratic systems of governance. One third of the Low trust in the main backsliding; robust support for the Much like in the Cold War era, CEE governance is populations living in state institutions each with their own rule of law and the seductive turn to and the Western Balkans remain the embraced by the the CEE and Western represents unique complex populism; a pining for human rights battlefield where these ideological wars vast majority of Balkans sympathise a potential and caustic rhetoric to put marginalised are unravelling. populations living with authoritarian vulnerability historical legacies communities back in ‘their place’. and experiences. in CEE and Western style of governance The robust support of societies The notion that these conflicting Balkan regions In both, decades 1 for democratic governance patterns and perspectives will one Authoritarian sympathizers https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/82419581.pdf contrasts with their overall low of democratic day mould themselves into a coherent 78% of people in the CEE represent a non-negligible level of trust in state institutions, whole, one that sees everyone ‘wake & Western Balkan regions share of societies, with one-third aspirations and averaging 42%, including for up’ from their autocratic dreams and see democratic governance of respondents in the region a yearning to head of state (usually president), embrace democracy is as naïve as understood as a system based on agreeing that it would be good government, political parties break free from Fukuyama’s end of history observation. equality, human rights, freedoms for their country to have a strong and the judiciary. While this and rule of law, as good for their leader who need not bother with the socialist era, low degree of confidence in This historical experience, unique to country. Democratic governance parliament or elections. These important state organs does not including its the CEE and Western Balkan regions, is perceived as more than just beliefs have further geopolitical necessarily entail that people cultural, social will always constitute a framework regular elections and multiparty implications - those open to will be drawn to non-democratic through which attitudes towards values system by the vast majority of the authoritarian governance, for and political regimes, it certainly underscores and democracy will be formed. The population in the region. example, express considerably a potential vulnerability that could underpinnings, experience of socialism was, for many, more negative views of the US be all too easily exploited by by no means entirely negative1 whether than the population at large. have often gone up populist forces. against opposing they experienced it themselves or not. Developments in the post-communist views purporting era, meanwhile, have arguably been that democracy is challenging, with these countries finally unworkable and assuming responsibility for their own Authoritarian paths. sympathisers have ‘foreign’. higher propensity to These transitions and the volatility of the globalising world are often believe in COVID-19 The ‘democratic experiment’ has put in stark juxtaposition against the related conspiracy proven rather resilient, persisting idealized ‘stability’ of past regimes. The theories Support for LGBT+ rights is higher among those over 30 years in conditions that have, idea that there is a viable alternative who do not perceive migration as a threat & notably, been at times inhospitable. to democracy, consequently, has Respondents who prefer rule generation of young adults The democratic journey that continues become alluring to a sizeable subset by strong leader at the expense to be undertaken by Bulgaria, of the population, one present across of democratic governance are Although support for LGBT+ rights, at only 38%, is relatively low across the Czechia, Hungary, Montenegro, North all surveyed countries. In a truly considerably more predisposed two regions, backing increases substantially among those who are not Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia democratic system, such preferences to believe different variations apprehensive about social change. Those who do not perceive migration and and Slovakia indeed has been an need to be acknowledged. This, of COVID-19 related conspiracy liberal democracy as threats indicate notably higher support for the rights arduous one and far from the fairy tale however, is not to say that they need to, theories. Given that the global of sexual minorities, 48% and 47%, respectively. Young people, similarly, story some envisioned. wittingly or unwittingly, be encouraged. pandemic shows no signs of exhibit higher acceptance of sexual minorities, with 50% of those aged 18-24 The democratic transitions of these This report aims to shed light on where abating, such views pose an years old in the region affirming that the rights of the LGBT+ community (e.g. countries, instead, have been democratic strengths and vulnerabilities additional challenge to the marriage equality) should be guaranteed. characterized by ups and downs and lie according to the perspective of management of the health crisis contrasts. These have included, for people living in CEE and the Western in these countries. example, stories of national identity Balkans. These perceptions often find

Between Democracy and Authoritarianism in CEE and the Western Balkans in CEE and the Western Between Democracy and Authoritarianism development alongside nationalist- themselves clashing in the postmodern Balkans in CEE and the Western Between Democracy and Authoritarianism

4 5 ? 1 1 Having a democratic political system with 1 regular elections and multiparty system Having a democratic political system with regular elections and multiparty system. How popular Those who are dissatisfied with how democracy works in their country 90% Slovakia is democracy? 53%

86% Democratic governance has overwhelming support across the region, though its buy- Poland in faces numerous headwinds including dissatisfaction with how democracy works in 57% individuals’ own countries, the allure of authoritarianism for some and high levels of distrust expressed towards state administrations and institutions (typical for the regions 82% that are still shaped by their communist past). Montenegro 59%

79% Czechia Democracy in 55% CEE and Western Balkans is seen as 79% less than perfect Romania 70%

Although support for democracy averages 77% across the region2, it is 55% of important to distinguish between the 78% Serbia ideal of democracy as a governance respondents 59% system and its less than perfect in the V4 are embodiment in CEE and the Western Balkans. According to The Economist dissatisfied with Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index how democracy 69% 20203, none of the countries surveyed works in their Hungary can be classified as full democracies. 55% Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, Bulgaria, countries. Hungary, Serbia and Romania are ranked as flawed democracies while 65% Montenegro and North Macedonia are are dissatisfied with the state of Bulgaria classified as hybrid regimes. democracy in their respective 76% countries. In Bulgaria and North

These nuances are, also, to a Macedonia, meanwhile, the proportion 2 Calculated as average of both more narrow certain extent reflected in people’s of respondents who are dissatisfied and more robust definitions of democracy tested in this study. 54% dissatisfaction with how democracy with the form of governance practiced North works in their countries. Over 60% in their country outweighs those who 3 https://www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/ Macedonia 69% Between Democracy and Authoritarianism in CEE and the Western Balkans in CEE and the Western Between Democracy and Authoritarianism of people living in the two regions prefer democracy. democracy-index-2020/ Balkans in CEE and the Western Between Democracy and Authoritarianism

6 7 Rights and ? 1 freedoms are 1 Support for narrow and more robust considered definitions of democracy important

Having a democratic political system with regular elections and multiparty system. In surveyed countries, support for 78% of Democracy as a system based on equality, human rights and freedoms, rule of law is good for our country. democracy remains roughly the same when respondents are posed with broad (a system based on equality, population human rights, fundamental freedoms 86% and rule of law) and narrow (a system Poland with regular elections and a multiparty system) definitions. In the Western in the region 85% Balkans and Hungary, however, the more robust version of democracy garners greater backing than the think human 82% narrower definition. For 78% of people Montenegro in the two regions, overall, human 85% rights and fundamental freedoms are recognized as essential pillars of the rights and democratic system and are seen as 78% beneficial. Serbia freedoms are 85% Perceptions of what human rights encompass, nevertheless, often does not extend to the rights of sexual minorities (see Chapter 3) and once understood as 69% Hungary democracy is described as ‘liberal’, it 84% is perceived as threatening by 41% of respondents4. essential pillars

90% Slovakia of democratic 84%

‘Hungarians are strongly committed to the main principles system. 79% Romania associated with democracy (e.g. 77% human rights, freedom, rule of law). But this understanding takes democracy at a surface 79% level. A detailed engagement Czechia with the different elements of 76% the governance form is rather lacking. People in Hungary recognize these concepts as very important but specific violations 65% of rights, rule of law or freedom Bulgaria of speech often go unnoticed.’ 67% [Csaba Molnár, Political Capital]

54% North Macedonia 60% 4 https://www.globsec.org/wp-content/ uploads/2020/12/GLOBSEC-Trends-2020_read-

Between Democracy and Authoritarianism in CEE and the Western Balkans in CEE and the Western Between Democracy and Authoritarianism version.pdf Balkans in CEE and the Western Between Democracy and Authoritarianism

8 9 Trust in state example, towards the conduct of their University elected representatives or the judiciary. ? 1 institutions education 1 and support for Although governance in CEE and the corresponds to Difference in preference for democracy not the Western Balkans leaves much to be higher support for parliamentary democracy among same thing desired according to the surveyed democracy university-educated and population populaces, people are not necessarily On average, inclined to lay fault at democracy as a whole Robust support for core democratic generally and turn to authoritarian only 42% of Educational attainment is a pertinent Czechia 16% institutions, in some democracies, alternatives. respondents in factor that corresponds with support echoes trust endowed in state CEE and Western for parliamentary democracy in institutions including the presidency each country. University educated Serbia 8% 5 The trust ranking is calculated as Balkans trust and/or government. This is not respondents, on average, are seven average based on levels of trust towards the their government, generally the case, however, across government, the president, political parties and percentage points more likely Poland 8% CEE and the Western Balkans. Societies judiciary in each state. president, courts than the general population to back in these two regions may indicate democracy. and judiciary. Bulgaria 6% strongly pro-democratic leanings yet simultaneously express distrust5, for Romania 6%

Hungary 5% ?

‘In Czechia, the highly educated Montenegro 5% Average trust in government, president, courts are more supportive of the & judiciary and political parties vs support for democratic system because they Slovakia 5% perceive that it has enabled them to thrive for the last 30 years.’ democracy North Macedonia 3% Trust ranking Having a democratic political system with regular elections and multiparty system is good / very good. [Jonáš Syrovátka, PSSI]

90% 86% 82% ? 79% 79% 78% Support for democratic political system with 69% regular elections and multiparty system 65% Difference in support for democracy between those with primary school and university education is quite significant, at 16 percentage points. 54%

51% 46% 82% 41% 42% 42% 41% 41% 77% 36% 73% 34% University 66% Secondary with education Secondary or school leaving apprenticeship exam Elementary/ without school Without formal leaving exam education

North

Between Democracy and Authoritarianism in CEE and the Western Balkans in CEE and the Western Between Democracy and Authoritarianism Slovakia Poland Montenegro Czechia Romania Serbia Hungary Bulgaria Macedonia Balkans in CEE and the Western Between Democracy and Authoritarianism

10 11 ? 2 2 Levels of dissatisfaction with democratic 2 governance & authoritarian preferences Those who are dissatisfied with how democracy works in their country Having a strong leader who does not need to bother with any parliament and elections is good for my country.

How popular 76%

70% are authoritarian 69% practices? 59% 59% 57% While overall support for democracy remains high in CEE and the Western Balkans, 55% 55% survey findings suggest that sizeable shares of the public are amenable to authoritarian 53% principles, amounting on average to one-third of populations.

The preference for a strong leader The willingness of citizens to trade who need not bother with elections is personal freedoms for financial benefits an important indicator of democratic and/or security is, undoubtedly, a 41% vulnerabilities. This is particularly “Poland is currently undergoing nod to the fact that the democratic 40% 39% 39% true if these beliefs are paired a process of profound self-re- transitions of the 1990s benefitted with considerable dissatisfaction examination of its democratic society unequally. The idealized image 37% governance model. The towards the state of democracy in a of democracy as constituting the 34% particular country. Rather than seeking government and the intellectual powerful combination of freedom and improvement in their democratic circles around it claim that post- economic prosperity, perhaps best systems, a substantial proportion of 1989 systemic arrangements need epitomized in societal perceptions democratic sceptics are resolved to be updated or streamlined (to of Switzerland, failed to materialise. “root out remnants of communism”) to changing the governance form Regime change, in fact, often prompted while the opposition and most 25% altogether. economic insecurity in an era 24% Western commentators assert that characterised by ‘wild’ privatizations the government is engaged in an A notable contingent of respondents of state enterprises (e.g. in Slovakia7). assault against the rule of law, was also identified who, even while not Those who feel they have been free media and an independent necessarily subscribing to autocratic excluded from shared prosperity and judiciary. Regardless of where 16% rule, is willing to sacrifice some Polish citizens align on this debate, passed by can be prone to nostalgia for ‘non-essential’ freedoms for other an overwhelming majority is a system which guaranteed them basic benefits including security, economic cognizant of the fact that Polish social security. prosperity and/or the preservation of democracy is far from secured. ‘traditional values’6. These findings Authoritarianism can indeed only 6 https://www.globsec.org/wp-content/ underpin the notion that openness to be averted through deliberate uploads/2020/06/Voices-of-Central-and- authoritarianism in post-communist actions. Democracy on auto-pilot Eastern-Europe-read-version.pdf countries can manifest in different is not on the cards, no matter 7 forms, some of which are compatible what people think is right for their https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/ articles/23533/slovakia-tries-to-mask-its- with narrower definitions of democracy country.” oligarchic-democracy-with-strong-eu-ties tailored to the bare basics of regular elections and multiparty systems. [Jakub Wisniewski, GLOBSEC] North

Between Democracy and Authoritarianism in CEE and the Western Balkans in CEE and the Western Between Democracy and Authoritarianism Bulgaria Romania Macedonia Serbia Montenegro Poland Hungary Czechia Slovakia Balkans in CEE and the Western Between Democracy and Authoritarianism

12 13 Authoritarian West ? ? 2 sympathies 2 Authoritarian tendencies are also and geopolitics United States of America present in greater numbers among Having a strong leader who those who accept the narrative Authoritarian dispositions not only present a danger to your asserting that the civil liberties does not need to bother with shape public attitudes and preferences country agenda is being driven by ‘Western any parliament and elections towards different forms of governance decadence’8. but they can potentially influence Authoritarian sympathisers General population is good for my country foreign policy through their impact on perceptions of allies and threats. In Among those who think West promotes decadent lifestyle Average general, negative perceptions of the US and the West are linked to higher Bulgaria authoritarian inclinations. The same leanings, meanwhile, are linked to 56% Serbia positive attitudes towards China and 16% Russia. The overall 73% North Macedonia proportion of 40% those preferring Montenegro The US 53% rule by a strong 19% leader over 70% These patterns are found even in Montenegro democratic 37% countries where the US is generally governance Hungary identified as an important ally, exhibit 51% Poland and Romania. Perceptions encompasses 46% 65% that the US is an existential threat, 33% of all for example, rise substantially among Romania 16% those segments of society that respondents gravitate towards valuing a strong and 58% among Poland 48% leader who need not bother with those who 58% parliament and elections. Overall, 15% agree with the the perception of the US as a threat 24% Czechia lands at 26% across the region and at narrative of a Bulgaria 42% among respondents sympathetic ‘decadent West’. towards authoritarianism. 46% 56% 30% 39% Serbia 8 The full statement posed in the Slovakia 43% questionnaire included the following: ‘Western countries promote a morally corrupt and 56% 46% decadent lifestyle which hides behind “civil liberties”’. 25% Overall, the Slovakia perception of Czechia 33% the US as a 55% 36% threat lands 34% at 26% across Poland North Macedonia the region and at 42% among 32% 46% respondents 10% 41% sympathetic Hungary Romania towards authoritarianism. 18% 41% 13% 39% Between Democracy and Authoritarianism in CEE and the Western Balkans in CEE and the Western Between Democracy and Authoritarianism Balkans in CEE and the Western Between Democracy and Authoritarianism

14 15 Russia China Authoritarian ? 2 sympathies and 2 Russia’s image, on the other hand, Some CEE and Western Balkan garners greater favourability among countries see China primarily as an belief in COVID-19 COVID-19 is fake to manipulate people with authoritarian tendencies important strategic partner that brings conspiracy theories in CEE and the Western Balkans. beneficial economic ties. There, the population Those disinclined to perceive Russia however, is an association between the Authoritarian sympathisers General population as a threat, for example, are more espousal of authoritarian sympathies Respondents who think that having a prone to authoritarian inclinations. and those perceiving that China is not strong democratically unaccountable The only exceptions are Poland and a threat. leader is good for their country are Romania, where a willingness to lend considerably more likely to believe in a sympathetic ear to authoritarian various COVID-19-related conspiracy practices are not necessarily linked to theories than others. 41% pro-Russian sentiment. ? This pattern is particularly discernible 34% Having a strong in Czechia, Bulgaria and Romania. In these countries, there is a more leader who than 20 percentage point gap in does not need acceptance of COVID-19-related to bother with conspiracy theories between those with authoritarian inclinations and the any parliament population at large. Overall, 33% of and elections ? the respondents is good way of USA deliberately created the in the CEE and governing my Western Balkans country. COVID-19 virus think that Regional average Authoritarian sympathisers General population Among those who do not authoritarianism perceive China as a danger On average, 28% would be a of the population good way of 57% in CEE and governing their Western Balkans 45% country. This believes in 26% proportion rises COVID-19-related to 59% among conspiracy those who do not theories, while perceive Russia 33% among the as a threat. authoritarian supporters, the ? proportion rises to 44%.* COVID-19 vaccine is a tool to implant nano-chips and control people * Counted as average of those who agreed with statements: 1) COVID-19 is fake to Authoritarian sympathisers General population manipulate the population; 2) USA deliberately created the COVID-19 virus; 3) COVID-19 vaccine is a tool to implant nano-chips and control people. 46% 24% Between Democracy and Authoritarianism in CEE and the Western Balkans in CEE and the Western Between Democracy and Authoritarianism Balkans in CEE and the Western Between Democracy and Authoritarianism

16 17 ? 3 3 The rights of LGBT+ community (such as 3 a right to marriage) should be guaranteed Disagree

67% Rights 66%

versus threats 61% 58% 56% Anti-democratic attitudes tend to be closely linked with threat perceptions across the region. This includes, for example, opposition to LGBT+ rights on the grounds that it 53% represents ‘traditional values coming under attack’ from West and/or EU seeking to impose their unwanted dictate. These narratives are often promulgated by nationalist politicians9, interest groups and institutions that espouse far-right views and a plethora of 47% disinformation outlets10. Within these circles, the human rights agenda is often depicted 44% as a false dichotomy, a zero-sum game that sees those gaining long-denied rights doing so at the expense of everyone else.

32% Support for LGBT+ Rights

The relevance of fear-based narratives can be measured, as one possible indicator, by examining societal (in) 44% of tolerance towards sexual minorities. respondents in Altogether, 54% of respondents in V4 countries the region oppose the granting of rights to sexual minorities, seemingly think that contradicting the overwhelming 78% the rights of support expressed for democratic governance when defined broadly as the LGTB+

a system based on equality, human community 9 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/ rights and fundamental freedoms. articles/2019-07-27/orban-vows-to-fight-liberal- (such as right democracy-in-challenge-to-eu-values This discrepancy could be tied to the to marriage) post-communist pasts of the regions. 10 https://www.europeanpressprize.com/article/ Evidence indeed shows that newer should not be propaganda-war-europe-far-right-media/ EU member states suffer from greater guaranteed. 11 https://ec.europa.eu/research/social- levels of prejudice against Roma, sciences/pdf/policy_reviews/east-west_ 11 North Between Democracy and Authoritarianism in CEE and the Western Balkans in CEE and the Western Between Democracy and Authoritarianism women and LGBT+ citizens . integration.pdf Bulgaria Serbia Montenegro Macedonia Romania Slovakia Poland Hungary Czechia Balkans in CEE and the Western Between Democracy and Authoritarianism

18 19 The Link between generalized anxiety that could stem Youth more threat perception from anything that is perceived tolerant 3 as uprooting the status quo. A 3 and support for lack of generalized apprehension LGBT+ rights towards social change contributes In each of the surveyed countries, the to significantly higher support for In the V4, the youngest adult cohort, aged between In the two LGBT+ rights among those who do support of LGBT+ 18 and 24 years old, indicated notably Though there is relatively low support not perceive migration (48%) or liberal more acceptance of LGBT+ rights than regions, Czech for LGBT+ rights across the region, democracy (47%) as a threat. rights rises from the populations at large. This pattern & Slovak youth backing increases substantially among 48% on average to dovetails with global trends12. those not professing threat perceptions This pattern holds true in majority of the 62% among those are most towards numerous issues including surveyed countries with the exception who do not perceive If LGBT+ rights (e.g. marriage equality) supportive of LGBT+ people, liberal democracy of Romania, North Macedonia and in CEE and Western Balkans was only migration and LGBT+ rights. 12 https://www.pewresearch.org/ and migration. This finding suggests Bulgaria where there appears to be no up to young people, it would amass global/2020/06/25/global-divide-on- that the unwillingness of populaces relationship between threat perception liberal democracy as 50% support. homosexuality-persists/ to acknowledge the rights of sexual on these topics and LGBT+ rights. threats. minorities can be interpreted as

? ? Support for LGBT+ rights Support for LGBT+ rights Support for LGBT+ rights among those who do not perceive migration as a threat Average support for LGBT+ rights Among those aged 18 - 24 years Support for LGBT+ rights among those who do not perceive liberal democracy as a threat

71% 69% 66% 67% 66% 66% 64% 65% 64% 61%

56%

52% 49% 47% 45% 45% 45% 45% 45% 44% 43% 39% 39% 39% 39% 38% 37% 34% 31% 32% 31% 38% Regional average support for LGBT+ rights 30%

26% 26%

19%

13%

North North Between Democracy and Authoritarianism in CEE and the Western Balkans in CEE and the Western Between Democracy and Authoritarianism Czechia Hungary Poland Slovakia Serbia Montenegro Romania Macedonia Bulgaria Czechia Slovakia Hungary Poland Romania Montenegro Macedonia Serbia Bulgaria Balkans in CEE and the Western Between Democracy and Authoritarianism

20 21 Recommendations for democratic 2 actors Work with the fact that not everybody is a democrat 3

One-third of all respondents in the region would prefer an authoritarian alternative Engage with 1 to democratic governance in the form of a strong leader who need not bother with pro-democratic elections. This segment of the population segments of Turning the is largely homogeneous in each of the surveyed countries. It often exhibits strongly society narrative around pro-Russian sentiment, identifies the US as a threat, opposes LGBT+ rights and A disconcerting number of people in the Anti-democratic sentiment has been indicates a proclivity towards believing region (over 60%) are dissatisfied with how undergirded by depictions of the human various conspiratorial narratives. While democratic regimes work in their countries rights agenda as a threat and/or zero- it is important to expend greater effort and have legitimate grievances which need sum game. As part of this conception, to counter disinformation and increase to be addressed. While dissatisfaction most people are portrayed as ‘losers’, strategic communication capabilities at all with current elected governments does with minorities and marginalized groups levels of society, it cannot be expected that not immediately translate into support for supposedly ‘winning’ at their expense. This one-third of populations will miraculously authoritarian ideas, it poses a problematic apprehension, in turn, is exploited to fuel change their worldviews. Democracy is vulnerability that can be all too easily anti-democratic attitudes and demonization a system which, by definition, thrives on exploited by conniving anti-democratic of the West, those instigators of “decadent” pluralism, including a variety of opinions, actors. While it would be naïve to expect change, as part of a broader geopolitical and even anti-democratic attitudes need political leaders whose commitment to strategy. The solution is to actively to be acknowledged. The moment, principles of liberal democracy is already challenge these narratives through framings nonetheless, calls for ensuring that these questionable to truly address the concerns that explain how the human rights agenda tendencies do not become a danger of their constituents, ‘friends of democracy’ is a priority that, in fact, benefits everyone. to individuals and society. By fostering in each of these countries need to stay Given that 78% of people in the region view active engagement and participation of engaged with the pro-democratically human rights and personal freedoms as pro-democratic voices, this threat can be minded sections of their populations. essential democratic pillars, policymakers averted. This focus should particularly Continued outreach at the grassroots level and civil society actors can use strategic include youth, a group supportive of a more can ensure that pluralism, civil liberties and communication to continually explain that inclusive understanding of democracy and political participation remain present at least rights of minorities are part of this agenda. human rights across the region. as guiding ideals. Between Democracy and Authoritarianism in CEE and the Western Balkans in CEE and the Western Between Democracy and Authoritarianism Balkans in CEE and the Western Between Democracy and Authoritarianism

22 23 Credits

Collection of opinion polls in each country was coordinated by FOCUS, s.r.o.

Jakub Wiśniewski, Vice President, GLOBSEC

Jonáš Syrovátka, Program Manager, PSSI

Csaba Molnár, Head of Research, Political Capital

Terminology used to identify regions in the report:

• CEE / Central and Eastern Europe – Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia

• Western Balkans – North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia

This publication was supported by the US State Department and the National Endowment for Democracy.

GLOBSEC, the US Department of State and the National Endowment for Democracy assume no responsibility for facts or opinions expressed in this publication or their subsequent use. Sole responsibility lies with the authors of this publication.

© GLOBSEC 2021

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