Introduction
The European Union (EU) has long positioned itself as a global champion of liberal values, including democracy, human rights, and equality. Central to this identity is the promotion of rights for marginalized groups, such as the LGBTQ+ community, which the EU considers a cornerstone of its democratic standards. However, this approach has increasingly come under scrutiny, particularly in countries with strong traditional values, such as Moldova, Georgia, Hungary, and Poland. These nations, whether EU members or candidates, are pushing back against what they perceive as the imposition of liberal values that clash with their cultural and religious identities. In Moldova, support for EU integration has dropped from 63% in 2019 to 54% in 2023 (International Republican Institute, 2023), reflecting growing skepticism. In Georgia, the 2024 anti-LGBTQ+ law has led to sanctions and a freeze on EU funding, further straining relations. Inside the EU, Hungary and Poland have introduced policies that restrict LGBTQ+ rights, highlighting a broader trend of revisiting liberal values in favor of traditional ones.
This article argues that the EU must reform its approach to promoting liberal values, particularly by de-emphasizing specific criteria like LGBTQ+ rights as a litmus test for compliance, and instead focusing on universal human rights, education, and dialogue that respects cultural diversity. Such reforms can significantly enhance the EU’s global authority by making it a more inclusive and adaptable union, capable of fostering sustainable change while maintaining its core principles. This 3,000-word analysis will explore the current challenges, the cultural context of countries like Moldova, the lessons from Georgia, Hungary, and Poland, and propose actionable steps for EU reform, demonstrating how these changes can bolster its international standing.
The Current Approach: Liberal Values as a Criterion for Compliance
The EU’s framework for accession and membership, outlined in the Copenhagen Criteria (1993), emphasizes democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, including the rights of minorities. Over time, the EU has increasingly highlighted LGBTQ+ rights as a key indicator of human rights compliance, both for member states and candidate countries. This is evident in the EU’s Enlargement Reports, such as the 2023 report on Moldova, which called for stronger anti-discrimination measures, and in the EU’s response to Georgia’s 2024 anti-LGBTQ+ law, which led to a freeze of 30 million euros in funding (European Parliament, October 2024).
The Rationale Behind the Approach
The EU’s focus on LGBTQ+ rights stems from its historical commitment to universal human rights, reinforced by documents like the European Convention on Human Rights (1950) and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (2000). The EU views these rights as non-negotiable, a stance supported by liberal member states like Sweden and the Netherlands, where acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights is high (Eurobarometer 2023: 89% in Sweden support equal rights). Moreover, the EU’s emphasis on these rights is a response to past failures in Europe, where discrimination against minorities led to systemic violence and exclusion. For example, until the 1990s, homosexuality was criminalized in several European countries, a legacy the EU seeks to overcome.
The Consequences of the Current Approach
While well-intentioned, the EU’s approach has led to significant challenges, particularly in countries with traditional values:
Cultural Resistance: In Moldova, where 90% of the population adheres to Orthodox Christianity, and 70% oppose same-sex relationships (CBS-AXA, 2021), the EU’s focus on LGBTQ+ rights is often seen as an imposition of “Western values.” Similarly, in Georgia, 84% of the population holds negative views on same-sex relationships (ISSP, 2021), and the 2024 anti-LGBTQ+ law was justified as a defense of “traditional moral standards.”
Polarization and Anti-Western Sentiment: The EU’s use of financial levers, such as withholding funds, has exacerbated tensions. In Georgia, the EU’s sanctions following the 2024 law prompted the ruling Georgian Dream party to pivot towards Russia, accusing the West of undermining national values. In Moldova, disinformation campaigns in 2022–2023, often fueled by pro-Russian forces, claimed the EU demanded same-sex marriage legalization, further eroding trust in the EU.
Unsustainable Change: Pressure-based approaches lead to superficial compliance rather than genuine societal change. In Hungary, anti-discrimination laws were adopted under EU pressure before its 2004 accession, but after Viktor Orbán’s rise in 2010, the country passed a 2021 law banning “promotion of homosexuality” to minors. Poland’s “LGBTQ+-free zones” (2019) and restrictions on Pride events further illustrate how reforms imposed without societal acceptance are easily reversed.
These examples highlight a critical flaw in the EU’s approach: by making LGBTQ+ rights a prominent criterion for compliance, the EU risks alienating countries and societies, undermining its own authority and influence.
The Cultural Context: Collective Consciousness in Moldova
To understand why the EU’s approach struggles in countries like Moldova, we must examine the collective consciousness that shapes societal values. Moldova, a candidate for EU membership since 2022, is a multi-ethnic nation with a strong Orthodox Christian identity, where traditional family values and social harmony are deeply ingrained.
Key Principles of Moldova’s Collective Consciousness
Orthodox Christianity: With 90% of Moldovans identifying as Orthodox Christians, the church plays a significant role in shaping public opinion. The Moldovan Metropolis, like the Georgian Orthodox Church, often views LGBTQ+ rights as contrary to traditional values, reinforcing societal resistance.
Traditional Family Values: The family, defined as a union between a man and a woman, is a cornerstone of Moldovan identity. Large family gatherings, respect for elders, and the transmission of cultural traditions are central to social life, making any perceived threat to this structure highly contentious.
Collectivism and Harmony: Moldovan society values collectivism and social harmony, often prioritizing community consensus over individual rights. This makes rapid societal changes, especially those imposed externally, likely to provoke resistance, as they are seen as disrupting social cohesion.
The Impact on EU Integration
Moldova’s collective consciousness has directly influenced its relationship with the EU. While the country has made strides towards integration—starting accession talks on June 25, 2024, and narrowly passing a pro-EU referendum on October 20, 2024 (50.16% in favor)—support for the EU has declined significantly, from 63% in 2019 to 54% in 2023 (IRI, 2023). Disinformation campaigns claiming the EU demands same-sex marriage legalization have fueled this decline, amplifying fears that EU integration threatens Moldovan traditions. This mirrors the situation in Georgia, where the 2024 anti-LGBTQ+ law and subsequent EU sanctions led to a pivot towards Russia, highlighting the risks of the EU’s current strategy.
Lessons from Georgia, Hungary, and Poland: A Global Trend
The experiences of Georgia, Hungary, and Poland underscore a broader global trend: the revisiting of liberal values in favor of traditional ones, driven by cultural, religious, and political factors.
Georgia: A Candidate Country’s Resistance
Georgia, an EU candidate since 2023, passed a 2024 law banning public expressions of LGBTQ+ identity, including Pride events and rainbow flags. The law, supported by the ruling Georgian Dream party, was framed as a defense of “traditional values” and resonated with 84% of the population (ISSP, 2021). The EU responded with sanctions, freezing 30 million euros in funding and canceling high-level meetings (October 2024). However, this pressure backfired: Georgian Dream accused the EU of attacking national identity, pivoted towards Russia, and used the issue to mobilize conservative voters before the October 2024 elections. This case illustrates how the EU’s focus on LGBTQ+ rights as a criterion can alienate candidate countries, pushing them away from integration.
Hungary and Poland: Internal Challenges Within the EU
Inside the EU, Hungary and Poland demonstrate the fragility of externally imposed reforms. Hungary adopted anti-discrimination laws before its 2004 EU accession but reversed course under Orbán, passing a 2021 law banning “promotion of homosexuality” to minors and restricting transgender rights (2020 law). Poland introduced “LGBTQ+-free zones” in 2019, covering a third of the country, and restricted Pride events under the conservative Law and Justice party (PiS). The EU responded with legal action and funding freezes—6.3 billion euros withheld from Hungary in 2023—but these measures have not changed societal attitudes, with 58% of Poles opposing same-sex marriage (CBOS, 2023). These cases show that even within the EU, the emphasis on LGBTQ+ rights as a compliance criterion fails to achieve sustainable change in societies with strong traditional values.
A Global Trend
This trend is not limited to Europe. In the United States, support for same-sex marriage dropped from 71% in 2022 to 69% in 2023 (Gallup), with conservative states like Florida passing laws like “Don’t Say Gay” (2022). In Africa, Uganda’s 2023 anti-LGBTQ+ law introduced life imprisonment for same-sex acts, reflecting a global push towards traditional values. These developments challenge the EU’s universalist approach, suggesting that a one-size-fits-all criterion for liberal values may no longer be tenable.
The Case for EU Reform: Enhancing Global Authority
The EU’s current approach undermines its global authority by alienating countries, fostering anti-Western sentiment, and failing to achieve sustainable change. Reforming its strategy can address these issues, positioning the EU as a more inclusive and adaptable union, thereby enhancing its international standing.
Why Reform Is Necessary
Cultural Disconnect: The EU’s emphasis on LGBTQ+ rights as a criterion ignores the cultural and religious diversity of its members and candidates. Orthodox countries like Moldova and Georgia, Catholic nations like Poland, and Protestant states like Sweden have different societal values and timelines for change. Ignoring this diversity leads to resistance and perceptions of cultural imposition.
Declining Influence: The EU risks losing influence in candidate countries and beyond. In Moldova, support for EU integration has dropped significantly, and in Georgia, the EU’s sanctions have pushed the government towards Russia. If the EU continues this approach, it may lose its appeal as a model for democratic governance.
Internal Cohesion: The EU faces internal challenges, with liberal and conservative member states clashing over values. Hungary and Poland’s resistance to LGBTQ+ rights has led to legal battles and funding disputes, threatening the EU’s unity. A reformed approach can reduce these tensions, strengthening the EU’s cohesion.
How Reform Can Enhance EU Authority
Reforming the EU’s approach to liberal values can significantly enhance its global authority by demonstrating flexibility, inclusivity, and a commitment to sustainable change. Here’s how:
Demonstrating Cultural Sensitivity: By respecting the cultural diversity of its members and candidates, the EU can position itself as a union that values inclusivity over imposition. This would counter narratives of “Western cultural imperialism,” which are prevalent in countries like Moldova and Georgia, where pro-Russian forces exploit fears of cultural erosion.
Strengthening Soft Power: The EU’s soft power relies on its ability to inspire through values and cooperation. By shifting from pressure to dialogue and education, the EU can rebuild trust with candidate countries, making EU integration more attractive. In Moldova, where support for the EU has waned, a more culturally sensitive approach could reverse this trend, reinforcing the EU’s influence in the region.
Fostering Sustainable Change: Reforms that prioritize internal societal acceptance over external compliance ensure long-term progress. The EU’s current pressure-based approach, as seen in Georgia, leads to backlash and superficial reforms. By focusing on education and dialogue, the EU can facilitate genuine change, enhancing its reputation as a leader in human rights.
Unifying the Union: A reformed approach can reduce tensions between liberal and conservative member states, strengthening the EU’s internal cohesion. For example, allowing countries like Poland more time to address LGBTQ+ rights while focusing on universal human rights (e.g., anti-corruption, judicial reform) could ease conflicts, presenting a united front to the world.
Proposed Reforms for the EU
To enhance its global authority, the EU should reform its approach to promoting liberal values, particularly by de-emphasizing specific criteria like LGBTQ+ rights and focusing on universal human rights, education, and dialogue. Here are actionable steps:
1. Reframe Compliance Criteria
The EU should reframe its Copenhagen Criteria to focus on universal human rights rather than specific issues like LGBTQ+ rights. While the EU should continue to advocate for the rights of all individuals, including protection from violence and discrimination, it should not make these rights a standalone criterion for compliance. Instead, the EU can prioritize broader democratic reforms, such as anti-corruption measures and judicial independence, which are less likely to provoke cultural resistance.
Example: In Moldova, the EU’s 2023 Enlargement Report highlighted the need for stronger anti-discrimination laws. Instead, the EU could focus on training law enforcement to prevent hate crimes, a less contentious issue that aligns with universal human rights.
2. Shift from Pressure to Education
The EU should abandon financial levers and sanctions, which alienate countries, and invest in education and awareness campaigns that promote human rights through local values. In Moldova, this could involve funding NGOs like GENDERDOC-M to conduct workshops that frame anti-discrimination as an extension of Christian values like compassion and love for one’s neighbor.
Example: In Greece, a gradual approach to LGBTQ+ rights, involving public dialogue and education, led to the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2024, 43 years after joining the EU. A similar strategy in Moldova could build societal acceptance over time.
3. Respect the Pace of Change
The EU must recognize that cultural change occurs at different paces across its diverse members and candidates. Orthodox countries like Moldova and Georgia, Catholic nations like Poland, and Protestant states like Sweden have unique historical and cultural contexts. The EU should allow countries more time to address sensitive issues, focusing on immediate priorities like economic development and governance.
Example: Romania, which joined the EU in 2007, made minimal progress on LGBTQ+ rights before accession but has since seen support for equal rights rise from 11% in 2006 to 29% in 2023 (Eurobarometer). Moldova could follow a similar trajectory if given time and support.
4. Engage in Dialogue with Society
The EU should work directly with societies, not just governments, by engaging religious leaders, local communities, and civil society. In Moldova, involving the Moldovan Metropolis in discussions about human rights, emphasizing shared values like compassion, could reduce resistance to anti-discrimination measures.
Example: In Ireland, a Catholic country, same-sex marriage was legalized in 2015 through a referendum (62% in favor) after years of dialogue involving the church and community leaders. A similar approach in Moldova could foster acceptance without provoking backlash.
5. Combat Disinformation
The EU must actively counter disinformation that fuels anti-Western sentiment. In Moldova, pro-Russian narratives in 2022–2023 falsely claimed the EU demanded same-sex marriage legalization, eroding support for integration. The EU should fund media campaigns and social media initiatives to clarify its positions, emphasizing that it seeks to protect universal rights, not impose cultural changes.
Example: In Romania, public figures like Călin Georgescu used social media to dispel myths about EU integration, helping to maintain public support. The EU could support similar initiatives in Moldova to rebuild trust.
The Impact of Reform on Moldova and Beyond
Reforming the EU’s approach would have a profound impact on candidate countries like Moldova, as well as on the EU’s global standing.
For Moldova
Restored Trust in the EU: A culturally sensitive approach could reverse the decline in support for EU integration (from 63% in 2019 to 54% in 2023), making the EU a more appealing partner. By focusing on universal rights and education, the EU can align with Moldova’s collective consciousness, which values harmony and tradition.
Sustainable Progress: Education and dialogue would foster gradual acceptance of human rights, ensuring that changes are not reversed under political pressure. For example, training law enforcement to prevent hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community would address immediate needs without provoking societal backlash.
Strengthened Partnership: A reformed EU approach would allow Moldova to focus on pressing issues like economic development and anti-corruption, which are less contentious, while still progressing towards integration. This would reinforce Moldova’s commitment to the EU, as seen in its 2024 referendum (50.16% in favor).
For the EU’s Global Authority
A Model of Inclusivity: By demonstrating flexibility and respect for cultural diversity, the EU would position itself as a global leader that can bridge divides between liberal and traditional societies. This would counter narratives of “Western imperialism,” enhancing the EU’s soft power in regions like Eastern Europe and the Global South.
A Stronger Union: Reducing tensions between liberal and conservative member states would strengthen the EU’s internal cohesion. For example, allowing Poland more time to address LGBTQ+ rights while focusing on judicial reform could ease conflicts, presenting a united front to the world.
A Counter to Rival Influences: A reformed EU would be better positioned to compete with rivals like Russia, which exploits traditional values to gain influence in countries like Georgia and Moldova. By aligning with local values, the EU can offer a more compelling vision of partnership.
Conclusion
The EU’s current approach to promoting liberal values, particularly its emphasis on LGBTQ+ rights as a criterion for compliance, is increasingly unsustainable. In countries like Moldova, Georgia, Hungary, and Poland, this approach has led to cultural resistance, anti-Western sentiment, and unsustainable change, undermining the EU’s global authority. Moldova’s declining support for EU integration (from 63% in 2019 to 54% in 2023) and Georgia’s pivot towards Russia following EU sanctions in 2024 highlight the urgency of reform.
Reforming the EU by reframing compliance criteria, shifting to education, respecting the pace of change, engaging in dialogue, and combating disinformation can significantly enhance its global authority. Such reforms would demonstrate cultural sensitivity, strengthen the EU’s soft power, foster sustainable change, and unify the Union, positioning it as a global leader capable of navigating the complex interplay of liberal and traditional values. For Moldova, this would mean a more harmonious path to EU integration, aligning with its collective consciousness while advancing universal human rights. The time for reform is now—only by adapting can the EU secure its place as a respected and influential global actor.
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