The EU and the Rule of Law: Much Movement, Little Change

Summary:

During her first term of office, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen grappled with the twin rule of law crises in Poland and in Hungary. As her second tenure began, some of the protagonists had changed. Poland’s new government, led by Donald Tusk, was strongly committed to the rule of law. Viktor Orbán’s Hungarian government, however, continued to dismantle democracy at home, and challenges to the rule of law were emerging in other countries. These included threats to the judicial systems and to media pluralism in Slovakia, Italy, Bulgaria and Greece. Over the previous five years, the EU’s enforcement mechanisms had improved, but they had failed to prevent or remedy rule of law problems. However, this did not mean that the EU was helpless in the face of challenges to the rule of law – just that it needed to use its tools more quickly and effectively. In addition, commitment to reforms and buy-in by national politicians, whether in opposition or in government, were important elements of solving the rule of law conundrum.

• Alternative Source 1

ESO Records

European Commission: COM (2024) 800 : 2024 Rule of Law Report. The rule of law situation in the European Union https://www.europeansources.info/record/2024-rule-of-law-report-the-rule-of-law-situation-in-the-european-union/

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