THE ‘ILLIBERAL TURN’AND EU’S FOREIGN POLICY: A TENTATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

The paper analyzes the impact of the “illiberal turn” on the European Union’s (EU) foreign policy. It examines how the rise of illiberal governments in Europe, particularly in Hungary and Poland, challenges the EU’s role as a promoter of democracy. Using a liberal intergovernmentalist framework, the study explores how illiberal actors influence EU decision-making, weaken democracy promotion tools, and erode the EU’s normative power. The paper concludes by assessing the implications for the EU’s global influence and internal cohesion.