Democracy and the Rule of Law Facing New Challenges

Abstract

How much room for manoeuvre is left for the institutions of Member States elected by the people? How can the principle of popular sovereignty be reconciled with the European Union? We are witnessing a deepening gap between the institutions of the EU and those of the Member States, as well as between the institutions of the EU and the people, since the latter does not see clearly who rules the EU, where the real power is. Europe is at crossroads: it can move towards federalisation by the transfer or depletion of the Member States’ competences or a Europe based on the cooperation of the Member States – relying more on the principle of subsidiarity – can be built.