Limited Leverage: The United Nations and Democratic Support in the EU’s Neighbourhood

SHAPEDEM-EU Publications 29

Although not explicitly mentioned in the UN Charter, commitment to democracy has swiftly emerged as a key priority in the UN’s normative agenda, as highlighted in foundational documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Through its various agencies, the UN has also developed a wide toolbox to support democratic institutions at the country level. This paper identifies three core methods employed by the UN and its agencies to foster democratic and institutional resilience: electoral assistance, capacity-building, and the declaration and codification of legal norm. By analysing the effectiveness of these tools in supporting democracy across the EU’s Eastern and Southern neighbourhoods, this paper argues that the UN’s capacity to act is hindered by the guidelines and limitations imposed by its member states – many of which are authoritarian regimes. Additionally, the UN does not operate in a vacuum; rather, it reflects broader geopolitical dynamics. These may weaken its role as a credible democracy support actor as evidenced in several countries in the EU’s Neighbourhood such as Belarus and Tunisia.