How the EU can and should protect democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights in defiant member states : the possibility and desirability of economic sanctions

Abstract

On 19 March 2018, the School of Transnational Governance and the Department of Law at the European University Institute organised a high-level policy dialogue on the possibility and the desirability of economic sanctions against so-called defiant member states of the European Union (EU). The event gathered academics, policy-makers and elected officials for one day to discuss possible answers to the ongoing systemic threat to the fundamental values enshrined in Article 2 TEU one may see growing in some EU countries. The dialogue took place under Chatham House Rules. Speakers included professors in European affairs, constitutional law and comparative politics from various European and non-European universities. Representatives of some civil society groups, past or present elected officials, and EU officials, also participated in the discussion.