Political rights, citizenship and EU values
new perspectives for a European political consciousness
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60054/PEU.2025.12.141-148Keywords:
EU Values, Democracy, European identity, Political consciousnessAbstract
This article examines the compatibility of national laws in the Czech Republic and Poland - which restrict membership in political parties to nationals - with Article 22 TFEU, in light of two recent CJEU judgments. It explores the implications of these rulings for the political rights of mobile EU citizens, their participation in the democratic life of their host Member States, and the broader interconnection between citizenship, democracy, and EU values. By analysing the Court’s reasoning and the underlying legal framework, the article highlights how the rulings affirm a substantive vision of Union citizenship grounded in equality and representative democracy. The conclusion offers critical reflections on the current state of political consciousness in the EU and the challenges facing the integration of mobile citizens into national political life.
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