Op-Ed: “Defining Obligations contained in Democratic Principles: member states cannot exclude EU Citizens from Political Party Membership (Cases C-814/21, C-808/21)”

The Court of Justice of the European Union recently ruled on infringement cases against Poland and the Czech Republic concerning restrictions on political party membership for EU citizens residing in another Member State. These judgments affirm that such limitations violate fundamental EU citizenship rights under Article 22 TFEU and underscore the broader significance of EU democratic values as enshrined in Articles 2 and 10 TEU. This Op-Ed explores the legal arguments, the Court's interpretation of democracy as a Union value, and the implications for future cases addressing the boundaries of Member States' national identity claims versus EU values. These rulings mark a significant step in the evolving discourse on the enforcement of democracy within the EU.