How growing political interference is eroding the independence of European museums

"Europe's museums are at risk of losing their independence under growing political pressure, the Network of European Museum Organisations (Nemo) warns. The organisation is seeking to raise awareness and open debate about an "alarming trend" that has until now been "boiling under the surface", says Julia Pagel, Nemo's secretary general. This summer, Nemo published an in-depth analysis of a survey of 153 museum organisations across 31 countries that it conducted last year."

"Armed with concrete data from the survey, Nemo has held discussions with the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, the European Commission and the Council of Europe, alongside professional bodies such as Unesco and the International Council of Museums. "It's important to be more detailed about what political influence means, because we talk so little about it publicly," Pagel says."

European museums are experiencing increasing political pressure that endangers institutional independence. A survey of 153 museum organisations across 31 countries found six out of ten museums and three-quarters of national umbrella organisations report political influence on vision or programming. Reported interference targets budgets, programming and public statements on political issues. Governance concerns include state or local authorities appointing directors and board members aligned with ideological agendas. Nemo has presented survey data to the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Council of Europe, Unesco and the International Council of Museums. No clear geographical or political pattern emerged.

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