In recent years, concerns over the integrity of electoral processes have intensified—even within so-called consolidated democracies. According to data collected by the Electoral Integrity Project (2024), key vulnerabilities persist, especially in areas such as campaign financing and the protection of voters’ information rights.
A landmark ruling by the Constitutional Court of Romania recently brought these concerns to the forefront. The Court annulled the results of the first round of the presidential election, citing serious breaches of fair information standards, the use of hybrid warfare tactics, illicit political financing, and digital disinformation.
In this evolving landscape, constitutional courts are increasingly acting as guardians of electoral integrity, stepping in to safeguard democratic principles and legality against emerging electoral malpractices. Their role fits into a broader trend of judicial engagement in countering democratic backsliding and defending core democratic values.
This workshop is part of the Jean Monnet Module “Promoting and Strengthening EU Values” coordinated by Professor Angioletta Sperti (Chair of the Democracy Hub – Circle U. Alliance, University of Pisa), and Professor of Comparative Public Law at the University of Pisa.
The workshop will be held both in person and online via Microsoft Teams.
Read the programme of the workshop.
Voices of emerging scholars
A dedicated session of the workshop will feature 11 emerging scholars (PhD candidates or post-doctoral researchers) from diverse academic backgrounds.
Selected authors will present their work during a Roundtable Session in the afternoon of 24 September 2025.
Publication opportunity
The selected papers will be published in a peer-reviewed open-access edited book following the event.
