Law-making consultation is an important element of the EU principle of participatory democracy which means involving parties and organizations affected by a legislative proposal. This may include non-governmental organizations, industry associations, expert, citizens and general public. Photo: Yuri Arcurs / Mostphotos

Democracy is not just about casting a ballot every four years. It's about being engaged in society, influencing the laws and decisions that affect our lives. In the EU, this has taken on special significance since the Lisbon Treaty came into force. Since then, the EU derives its democratic legitimacy not only from representative democracy (elected representatives) but also from participatory democracy, where citizens and stakeholders have the opportunity to actively participate in shaping decisions.

Participatory democracy in the EU emphasizes transparency, inclusivity, and the right of citizens to have a say. It's about listening to people's opinions before decisions are made and ensuring that the decision-making process is fair and inclusive. An essential component of this is the process of law-making consultation, where the public or the political body responsible for drafting and proposing laws or regulatory proposals consults various stakeholders, interested parties and the general public before finalizing and presenting the legislative proposal for approval or decision.

Sweden as a Case Study

In her dissertation, "Realizing the Principle of Participatory Democracy in the EU - The Role of Law-making Consultation," Gloria Golmohammadi explores how legislative consultations can promote the realization of the principle of participatory democracy, with a focus on consultations as a multi-level phenomenon occurring at both the EU and national levels, using Sweden as a case study. She does this based on three main research questions, namely:

1. What does the principle of participatory democracy mean in the EU?
   Here, Golmohammadi examines the theory behind the principle and how it affects the legislative process in the EU. What rights and responsibilities does the EU principle of participatory democracy entail for EU institutions, citizens, and national institutions?
    
2. Is the principle of participatory democracy followed in the consultation procedures?
   Through case studies, consultation procedures at both the EU and Swedish levels are analyzed. Do they adhere to the requirements for being participatory and fair?
    
3. How can legislative consultations be improved?
   The dissertation proposes five guidelines to make consultations more democratic and inclusive. For each of these guidelines, concrete suggestions on how to improve consultations were examined.

Providing Key Insights for Strengthening Democracy

The results of the dissertation project indicate that there is room for improvement in how the EU and member states like Sweden can better align consultations with the principle of participatory democracy. At the same time, the participatory democratic principle has important implications for the Member States' legal systems. For Sweden, the principle means a new interpretation of the constitutional obligation for the government to consult (referral system). The legal framework that the study develops can thus contribute to making the legislative consultations more open, fair and inclusive.

In summary, Gloria Golmohammadi's study provides us with crucial insights into how we can strengthen democracy both in the EU and in Sweden. By continually involving citizens and stakeholders meaningfully in the decision-making process, we can ensure that laws are representative and responsive to society's needs and preferences. With this meaning that participatory democracy is not just a hypothetical idea—it is the path forward to creating a more participatory and equitable society where every voice counts.

Read “Realizing the Principle of Participatory Democracy in the EU - The Role of Law-making Consultation”

Gloria Golmohammadi's profile page

Text: Natalie Oliwsson