Ever since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the devastating conflict in Gaza that began in October last year, the darkest moments of human history have threatened to become our daily reality. The precondition for effectively responding to these challenges is to defend democracy at home in Europe and the Balkans. Almost half of the world’s population has been called to the polls in a year, marking a new global decline of democracy. For this reason, the outcome of the most consequential electoral year in history will shape the future trajectory of humanity.