Euroviews. Eastern Europe needs new defences against attacks on its democracies

Central and Eastern Europe is under siege. From Moldova’s October referendum, plagued by allegations of Russian meddling, to Georgia’s battles with disinformation around the parliamentary elections that will determine its course towards Europe or Russia, the region’s democratic foundations are cracking under relentless pressure.

But amid this turmoil, a quiet revolution is taking shape. In town halls, community centres, and government offices, citizens and leaders are coming together to do what traditional politics often fails to do: listen, deliberate, and find solutions.

These gatherings, known as citizens’ assemblies, could be a critical tool for safeguarding democracy in the region.

For years, Eastern Europe has been a battleground for democratic values. Internal challenges — rising populism and eroded civic trust — are exacerbated by external threats, particularly Russian interference.

Moscow’s tactics are clear: divide, disrupt, and destabilise. It floods social media with misinformation, exploits societal fractures, and backs anti-democratic movements, all to undermine the region’s democracies. The goal? Bring the region back into its sphere of influence.

Yet, Russia is not the only destabilising force; many countries face internal power capture, where populist leaders erode checks and balances to consolidate control.

The citizens and governments of Eastern Europe are not passive victims in this struggle.

They have already learned classic responses, such as debunking false narratives and combating election fraud. Now they are increasingly turning to democratic innovation, one that prioritises engagement over divisive rhetoric.

Citizens’ assemblies, which bring together randomly selected, representative groups of