Happy International #DemocracyDay! 🎉 We so often use this word, #democracy, and so rarely talk about its meaning. So, what do we at @democracy_intl mean when we say “democracy” and what do we want to celebrate today?

„Democracy for me is when the taken decision is understood by the group of people it is made for. In one word, Democracy for me is accountability“ @RaduMihaiu Mayor, District 2 - Bucharest #GFMDD @Europuls

"More opportunities to participate are essential. For instance, the participatory budgeting provides the possibility to argue and decide" Vladislav Cociu Mayor of Ștefan Vodă, Republic of Moldova #GFMDD @Europuls

In Moldova people forgot that democracy comes not only with the cluster of rights, but with responsibilities. Citizens need to be involved every step of the way in implementing the democracy project Ion Dogalniuc Mayor of Colibași, Cahul, Republic of Moldova #GFMDD @Europuls

Fireside chat panel: “Mayors for democracy” with @RaduMihaiu, Ion Dogalniuc, Vladislav Cociu & Adria Duarte (Round1) #GFMDD #GFMDD2024

„If had to describe local democracy in one word, it’s freedom.“ Corina Ene Mayor, Căbești #GFMDD @Europuls

„The main challenge is the conceptualisation of direct democracy due to its many tools, but lacking consensus which are the most democratic ones“ - @RaulMagniBerton @democracyupdate #GFMDD @Europuls

@ClaraEgger1 on trends in direct democracy: - plebiscites & mandatory referendums are on the rise - in 2023 there is decrease in number of popular votes around the world - in 2023, paradoxically, a lot of new constitutions were installed through referenda by autocratic leaders

Predictions on direct democracy by @ClaraEgger1 1. Federated States of #Micronesia lowered the quorum on mandatory referenda to 2/3 of the votes in three quarters of the states, which will lead to more voting on constitutional amendments. This has to be monitored. @Europuls

Predictions on direct democracy by @ClaraEgger1 2. The Netherlands are now in the process of establishing direct democracy tools in the constitution. @democracyupdate @RaulMagniBerton #GFMDD @Europuls