Publication

This policy paper examines the regulation of the use of emergency powers in European states (encompassing EU member states, Norway and Switzerland), and assesses to what extent and in what ways existing rules protect the democratic order. This is done by focusing on two interrelated sets of questions. Firstly, how has the tension between emergency powers on the one hand and the principles of democracy and human rights on the other been resolved in European constitutions and other relevant legislation? The second question concerns the present-day security threats: To what extent are current emergency regulations adapted to today's security challenges?