Open letter before European Parliament election: Prioritize democracy as authoritarianism grows

By JAN M. OLSEN
Associated Press

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Nearly 300 signatories have signed an open 10-point letter before next month’s European Parliament election. The letter that was release don Thursday said that democracy should be at the top of their agenda in an increasingly authoritarian world. It calls for widening powers to uphold the rule of law, ensuring new digital technologies safeguard human rights and to place democracy at the heart of the EU’s security, migration, energy, and trade agendas. It was initiated by the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. The institute last month noted skepticism about political elections and that many favor a strong and undemocratic leader.