The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and Cultural Diversity in the EU

Abstract

A crucial consequence of the Lisbon Treaty has been that the Charter of Fundamental Rights (CFR or the Charter) of the European Union (EU) became legally binding. As a result, considerations with direct and indirect cultural connotations, such as cultural and linguistic diversity (Article 22 CFR) were elevated to Charter level. Clearly then, at first sight the Charter holds potential to address more forcefully the cultural side of EU policy choices. However, economic considerations that are frequently at play while addressing cultural concerns, such as the freedom to conduct a business, have been similarly bolstered by their inclusion in the Charter (Article 16 CFR). Post-Lisbon, old and new cultural policy dilemmas, including the traditional balancing of economic and cultural interests, will have to be (re)considered within the framework of the Charter.