More democracies are retreating while authoritarianism is on the rise - Levits

RIGA - More and more democracies are retreating while authoritarianism is on the rise, said Egils Levits, former President of Latvia and judge of the European Court of Human Rights, taking part in the discussion "Democracy in Danger", one of the events marking the 30th anniversary of Latvia's accession to the Council of Europe.

At the discussion, organized by the Latvian delegation and held in Strasbourg during the plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Levits noted that he believes that democracy has always been in danger. He admitted that he sometimes wonders whether it is when democracy is in danger that it regains its ability to thrive and grow.

The former Latvian President pointed out that throughout history, countries have used various methods to undermine each other, from poisoning political leaders to funding hostile groups and influencing representation. But new technologies have taken these methods to a new level.

He explained that interference is no longer only by physical or covert means. It is taking place in the public mind - psychological warfare, facilitated by technology, seeks to influence perceptions, manipulate emotions and divide society from within. This subconscious influence on democracy is taking place openly but unnoticed - masquerading as legitimate debate, making it even harder to detect and stop, Levits concluded.

He pointed to a worrying trend: more and more democracies are retreating while authoritarianism is on the rise. These regimes are not only repressing freedoms in their own countries, Levits pointed out, but also launching a coordinated attack on the foundations of Western civilization - openness, freedom and the rule of law.

The former head of state called for reflection on how democracies can protect themselves not only from external threats, but also from distorted narratives that portray democracy as weak or outdated. We need to find a way to fight disinformation and external influences without sacrificing the values we uphold ourselves, he emphasized.