This research is produced with the financial support of the European Union. The contents of these reports can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Commission.
Study to support the preparation of an EU instrument to help improve the resilience of our democracies and address activities that may impact public opinion or the democratic sphere funded by third countries
This study was contracted to support the Commission’s work to address activities carried out on behalf of third countries that may impact the democratic prosses and/or public opinion in the EU, and to analyse how a possible EU intervention might improve the transparency of such activities and thus the resilience of European democracies to foreign interference.
Study supporting the impact assessment on the review of EU consular protection rules
This study gathered evidence to support the preparation of an impact assessment for the review of the Consular Protection Directive. Its objectives were to gather evidence to assess the functioning of the Consular Protection Directive, especially in times of crises, and identify shortcomings and lessons learnt, as well as to prepare an impact assessment for a possible future initiative aimed at addressing the shortcomings identified, in particular to enhance the protection of all EU citizens in times of crisis.
Report to support the review of the guidance on the right of free movement of EU citizens and their families
In 2020, in the EU Citizenship report, the Commission announced that it would review the 2009 Guidelines on better transposition and application of Directive 2004/38/EC on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States. This report was prepared for the Commission to support the preparatory work for such review.
The report presents suggestions for the review of the 2009 Guidelines on better transposition and application of Directive 2004/38/EC. It details, where relevant, potential options aimed at addressing the main legal and administrative difficulties that EU citizens and their family members have faced with regard to the implementation of Directive 2004/38/EC in their contact with the national administrations in the reference period running from January 2015 until April 2020. The suggestions for review are based on the CJEU case-law delivered since 2009 and on links that can be established with other guidance documents that have been adopted by the Commission since 2009 on specific aspects of relevance to the Directive.
Study on the impact of new technologies on free and fair elections
The impact of new technologies and techniques used in the electoral process offers a mixed picture. In this context, the present study explores the existing policies and strategies at European and national level, as well as the state-of-play on the use and impacts of new technologies and techniques in the electoral process.
Go to Annex I - Literature review
Go to Annex III - Explored use cases
Infographic - Elections in the era of new technologies
Study supporting Impact assessment of review of electoral directives
This study gathered evidence to support the preparation of an impact assessment for the review of Directives 93/109/EC[1] and 94/80/EC[2] . The study analysed the barriers and problems faced by EU citizens who reside in another EU country (‘mobile EU citizens’) when it comes to exercising their rights to vote and stand as candidates in the Member State of residence. The scale and nature of these obstacles were assessed. This served as basis to identify policy options that could be taken at EU level with a view to boost mobile EU citizens’ electoral participation in local and European Parliament elections in their Member State of residence. The study also provides an overview of Member States’ practices regarding registration and access to vote for mobile EU citizens. It also syntheses data about participation of mobile EUcitizens in these elections. The policy options were subsequently examined in detail and their anticipated impacts on mobile EUcitizens, Member States’ administrations, EU level and on fundamental rights were examined. The data and results contributed to the preparation of European Commission’s impact assessment for the review of these directives
[1] Council Directive 93/109/EC of 6 December 1993 laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for citizens of the Union residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals
[2] Council Directive 94/80/EC of 19 December 1994 laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in municipal elections by citizens of the Union residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals
Study supporting Impact assessment for a proposal for a Regulation on transparency and targeting of political advertising
This study on political advertising collects and presents data and evidence supporting the Impact Assessment for the proposal for a Regulation on transparency and targeting of political advertising. It consists of legal research on the existing framework applying to political advertising (including gaps and oversight issues in cross-border contexts); desk research on challenges posed by political advertising (including its targeting) for the internal market, fundamental rights and democracy; research on the economic and financial aspects of political advertising (such as the scope and value of the market, the nature of the actors and their activities across borders); and research conducted through interviews and stakeholder consultations. Besides the analysis of the status quo, this study also analyses the predicted evolution of the situation, as well as a forward-looking analysis of a potential EU level intervention and options available. The analysis and comparison of the options available and their impact (based on available data, qualitative assessment, and the principles of proportionality and subsidiarity in EU intervention) further formed the initial basis for the Impact Assessment by the European Commission.
CSES Study on the Conduct of the 2014 Elections to the European Parliament (external)
This study was prepared for the Commission to support the preparation of the 2014 Report on the European Elections, including information on the implementation of EU citizens’ democratic rights and the implementation of relevant recommendations ahead of those elections.
Study on the Benefits and Drawbacks of Remote Voting
Following the publication of the own-initiative report of the constitution committee of the European Parliament (AFCO) on 'potential and challenges of e-voting in the European Union',[1] the European Parliament requested the Commission to carry out a pilot project on making the best use of modern technologies for more active and democratic voting procedures.[2] The objective was to "look into the potential benefits of alternative arrangements with a view to televoting, focusing on the advantages of an e-voting system, and produce a televoting good practice guide. The study was one part of a DG JUST grant call. A grant call under the same pilot project funded the Elections GO! (EGO!) (project which developed and piloted a digital platform with voter facilitation and mobilisation functions across the EU) and the YourVoteEU project (multilingual digital platform, designed as an innovative communication tool between the 2019 European elections’ candidates and their electorate).
The study prepared by Open Evidence and RAND Europe presents mixed findings. It shows that remote voting can help increasing voters participation but only in certain cases and that a lot depends on how the voting system is organised.
The primary research for this study was conducted from October 2017 – July 2018, and the analysis concluded before the 2019 European elections, which were not taken into account. Although the information contained was correct at that time to the knowledge of the research team, changes affecting remote voting options may have been proposed or come into effect during the span or directly after publishing this study.
[1] http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2016/556948/IPOL_STU%282016%29556948_EN.pdf
[2] Item 33 02 77 14 — Pilot project — E-voting: making the best use of modern technologies for more active and democratic voting procedures: http://ec.europa.eu/budget/library/biblio/documents/2019/WD%20IV-PP_PA_web.pdf
Studies by the EU-CITIZEN network of experts on citizenship rights
The EU-CITIZEN network funded by the European Commission under the Rights Equality and Citizenship Programme brings together academic experts from around the Union and coordinated by the Centre for European Policy Studies to provide research and information on citizenship rights. Every year the group delivers a number of reports and studies to Commission services. In 2018, 2019 and 2020, the network prepared a number of studies, principally on the theme of democracy, citizenship and freedom of movement of person in the EU.