PREAMBLE

A. We – the Conference of Speakers of the European Union Parliaments (hereinafter EUSC) –

want to advocate with the "Charter on the Role of Parliaments in a Functioning Liberal

Democracy" (hereinafter Charter) for a strong, vibrant, independent, resilient, self-

confident, and future-proof liberal parliamentary democracy. At the heart of liberal

democracy, as chambers of citizens and as legislators, we want to contribute to this

objective, united and determined. We want to develop solutions, find majorities for them

and shape our future together.

B. European liberal democracy is unique, as is the European Union with common values and

a common legal order. It unites the peoples of Europe and comprises, at European level,

the European Parliament as the only multinational parliament in the world with directly

elected members and legislative power, the European Council as body of the heads of

state or government, the Council of the European Union as the chamber of the Member

States with legislative power, the European Commission as the executive body, and the

Court of Justice of the European Union as the supreme judicial body. At the national level,

there are the National Parliaments, governments and courts. And there are the democratic

institutions at the regional and municipal levels. Together, these four levels of European

liberal democracy form the basis for cooperation, decision-making and citizen

participation in the democratic process.

C. However, liberal democracy that has come under pressure, both outside and inside the

European Union, due to external influences but also due to undesirable internal

developments. On the one hand, we are experiencing more multiple, complex and cross-

border challenges at the same time than at any time since 1945: Wars, terrorism, the

climate, environmental and energy crises, inflation, migration flows, the pandemic,

digitalisation, artificial intelligence, foreign interference, disinformation and

misinformation. On the other hand, liberal democracy is challenged by the

authoritarianism of some actors who prioritize polarisation, staging, blame, blackmail and

blockade over the search for common solutions. Supposedly "simple answers" do not do

justice to the complexity of reality. Laws are broken, values are violated, trust is lost and

parliaments are weakened. The guarantee of separation of powers, independence of the

judiciary, freedom of opinion, media and press is coming under pressure.

D. The answer to these threats is a strong, vibrant, independent, resilient, self-confident and

future-proof liberal democracy. Peace, freedom and democracy cannot be taken for

granted. The achievements of one generation can be lost by the next. They must be

regained every day. This is a joint task and responsibility that we, as chambers of citizens,

want to face together. After all, liberal democracy can only prove its worth if parliaments

can fulfil their role and when parliamentarianism is functioning.

7 DE MARÇO DE 2024 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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