(Disap)pointing in the Mirror: The European Parliament’s Obligations to Protect EU Basic Values in Member States and at EU Level

Abstract

In this chapter 1 discuss how political groups use tools to protect EU values at both member state and EU level. I first survey the different tools used to protect EU values at member state level. I then focus on those available vis-à-vis the EU level itself, particularly the Electoral Act, requirements incumbent on Europarties and European political foundations to comply with EU values and the EPRoP. I conclude that political group’s track-record is disappointing and discuss what improvements could be envisioned to (better) reach the aim of protecting EU values across all political groups’ activities and across all levels of government.