Futures of EU democracy foresight study led by the EU Policy Lab is part of the broader project Challenges and Opportunities for the Future of Democracy. The foresight project explored a complex interplay between emerging issues and the challenges that could reshape democratic outcomes in unexpected ways. It introduces four stories from Europe’s possible futures in which democratic outcomes could look very different from today – in some cases more inclusive and innovative, in others more fragile and contested.

Report: Futures of EU democracy: a foresight exploration of challenges, opportunities and tensions

The report presents a comprehensive foresight study on the future of democracy in the EU, exploring the impacts of artificial intelligence, citizen engagement in democracy, and quality of democratic processes and institutions. The study was based on participatory workshops with experts, developing "futures wheels" to discuss possible future outcomes of various emerging issues.

 It includes four future scenarios: AI-Facilitated Direct Democracy, Citizen Pushback, Technocratic Government Overreach, and Big Tech Power Grab. The scenarios are designed to stimulate critical thinking and informed decision-making, rather than predict specific outcomes for democracy. They reveal key tensions that must be balanced in order to foster a resilient and inclusive democracy in the EU. These include the pursuit of efficiency versus meaningful citizen agency, the concentration of power, use of data in governance systems and other. 

By exploring the implications of these tensions through scenarios and personas, policymakers can gain insights into how to navigate the complex landscape of democratic governance and make informed decisions for a strong, vibrant democracy in the EU that is responsive to the evolving needs of society.

Download the report