Democracies across Europe are under pressure – primarily due to the gradual erosion of democratic norms, institutions, and procedures. This volume analyses the political causes, mechanisms, and consequences of democratic backsliding in 15 European countries, from Western Europe to the Western Balkans. In addition to country case studies, the volume provides comparative analyses that identify recurring patterns of democratic erosion. The contributions address institutional weakening, the rise of populist narratives, incomplete democratisation processes, and the strengthening of executive powers. Importantly, the diagnosis is only the first step: this volume also outlines concrete countermeasures at the national, European, and civil society levels. With contributions by Elisabeth Alber | Melani Barlai | Ádám Bence Balázs | Angelos Chryssogelos | Peter Filzmaier | Christina E. Griessler | Florian Hartleb | Martin R. Herbers | Teele Holmberg | Daniela Ingruber | Christoph Konrath | Anna Krasteva | Petra Malfertheiner | Daniela-Maria Mariș | Matjaž Nahtigal | Katrin Praprotnik | Pavel Pšeja | Senada Šelo Šabić | Yannis Tsirbas | Ana Vučemilović-Grgić | Emilia Zankina | Edit Zgut-Przybylska