Rule of law is laid down in the EU treaties as one of the values on which the Union is based. It means that governments should be bound by law&nbsp;not to take arbitrary decisions, and that citizens should be able to challenge their actions in independent courts.

It also enshrines the fight against corruption, which unfairly favours some to the detriment of others, and the safeguarding of media freedom, thus ensuring that the public is properly informed about the work of government.

The EU has existing tools at its disposal to protect the rule of law. In&nbsp;September 2020, the European Commission published the first annual rule of law&nbsp;report monitoring both positive and negative developments with regard to the rule of law in all member states. In July 2021 the second edition of the report was published.

There is also&nbsp;dialogue on the rule of law in the Council.

If the Commission deems that a member state is violating EU law, it can start infringement proceedings that may lead to financial sanctions determined by the European Court of Justice. Another procedure, under Article 7 of the Treaty of the European Union, allows the Council to make recommendations or decide by unanimity on sanctions against a member state, including the suspension of membership rights.&nbsp;MEPs have argued that existing tools are insufficient.

​Under the new regulation, effective from January 2021, EU budget payments can be witheld from countries where established breaches of the rule of law compromise management of EU funds. At the same time, the EU ensures that final beneficiaries do not end up paying the bill.

Rule of law

In September 2018, the Article 7(1) TEU procedure was triggered. In this case, the European Parliament voted a resolution calling the Council to determine the existence of a clear risk of a serious breach of EU values in relation to Hungary. This resolution was preceded by numerous others adopted by the Parliament between March 2011 and May 2017, and it made reference to concerns related mainly to judicial independence, freedom of expression, corruption, rights of minorities, and the situation of migrants and refugees in Hungary.

Under Article 2 TEU, the EU is founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights (DRF). Article 7 TEU establishes two mechanisms (preventive and sanctions) to enforce EU values in cases of systemic violations and to sanction Member States departing from them.

See also the previous <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/rule-of-law-in-hungary-8th-parliamentary-term_5702_pk">package</a> on the rule of law in Hungary.

Rule of law in Hungary (2019-2020)

Since the Law and Justice party (PiS) won both the presidential and parliamentary elections in Poland in autumn 2015, the new government has undertaken a series of reforms that critics say restrict democracy.

Freedom and pluralism: President Schulz of Parliament, and Commission vice-president Timmermans have voiced concern for the freedom and pluralism of Poland’s public-service television and radio and for the status of the Constitutional Court. On 13 January the Commission decided to start the first stage of the "Framework for addressing systemic threats to the Rule of Law" in Poland.

Women’s rights in Poland: the current sexual and reproductive health law in Poland is among the most restrictive in the EU but it does reflect a political consensus reached by all the parties years ago. This consensus has recently been put at risk by the pro-life movements calling for a total ban on abortion. Their “Pro- Right to Life” proposal (“citizen initiative”) and the restrictive act on IVF have been passed on for further work in the Polish parliament while a “Save the Women” proposal (a rival bid to liberalise access to legal abortion and introduce a large package of sexual and reproductive health services”) has been rejected despite earlier assurances that citizens’ initiatives will not be rejected without consideration in committees.

Rule of law in Poland - 8th parliamentary term

Under Article 2 TEU, the EU is founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights.

Article 7 TEU establishes two mechanisms (preventive and sanctioning mechanisms) to enforce European Union values in cases of systemic violations and to sanction Member States departing from them. The sanctions mechanism empowers the Council to suspend certain membership rights of a Member State, including voting rights in the Council in cases of a 'serious and persistent breach' of EU values (Article 7(2) TFEU)’. However, these mechanisms require a high decision-making threshold in the Council and in the European Parliament (when Parliament is called to participate) and rely heavily on Member States’ willingness to take action.

Rule of law - 8th parliamentary term

The European Parliament already discussed the rule of law in Romania in February 2018, following massive street protests after the Romanian Parliament approved an overhaul of how the judicial system is organised and changes to rules about conflicts of interest. The criminal code and the criminal procedure code have also been modified, but these changes are currently being reviewed by the Constitutional Court.

Rule of law in Romania

On the 16th October 2017, the Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bomb explosion. Ms Caruana Galizia gave to the Committee of Inquiry into Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion (PANA) evidence about her work on the Panama Papers at a meeting in February 2017 in Malta.

Every day journalists risk their lives to help keep us informed. Freedom of Press is considered to be an essential element of democracy by the European Parliament, which strongly supports it within the EU and beyond. Article 11 of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly states that “freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected”.

Press freedom in Malta (2019-2020)

Rule of law is laid down in the EU treaties as one of the values on which the Union is based. It means that governments should be bound by law, that they should not take arbitrary decisions and that citizens should be able to challenge their actions in independent courts.

In view of possible democratic backsliding in Poland and in particular due to the threat to judicial independence, the European Commission initiated in December 2017 an Article 7 procedure to address a possible risk of breach of EU common values.

The Parliament has ever since repeatedly asked the Council to act and in September 2020 warned about the continuous deterioration of the situation in the country, pointing to “overwhelming evidence” of those breaches. Following the October 2021 ruling by the Polish Constitutional, the Polish government’s challenge of the established primacy of EU law was added to Parliament’s long list of concerns.

These include the powers to revise the constitution taken on by the Polish parliament since 2015, expedited legislative procedures and electoral law changes; the broad changes to the country’s judiciary, including appointments and disciplinary procedures; the situation of freedom of expression, media freedom and pluralism; and the criminalisation of sexual education and the de facto ban on abortion.

Rule of law in Poland

From the 1st of July 2021, Slovenia is holding the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union. However, the country&nbsp;has also been the subject of discussions about the “rule of law” within the EU, a concept referring to respect for due process, plurality in politics and media and the upholding of civic freedoms such as free speech.

In its last 2021 Rule of Law report the EC mentioned that the situation of media in the country has been deteriorating.&nbsp;Online harassment of and threats against journalists are a growing source of concern, and several lawsuits against journalists with intimidating effects have been reported as well as&nbsp;instances of political interference in media.

Attacks on media&nbsp;have been criticized by international, European and national journalists and editors associations. The European Commission intervened various times to express its concerns.

A delegation of the Civil Liberties Committee travelled&nbsp;to&nbsp;Slovenia between 13 and 15 October to&nbsp;take stock of the latest developments in the country as regards the situation of the rule of law, media freedom and the fight against corruption including the question of Slovenian delegated prosecutors to the European Public Prosecutors Office.

Their agenda included&nbsp;exchanges with: NGOs; the Human Rights Ombudsman; academics; journalists and press freedom organisations;the Supreme State Prosecutor and former president of the Association of Public Prosecutors of Slovenia; the Data Protection Commissioner; officials of the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Culture; representatives from the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption; members of the National Assembly; the President of the National Council; and the Presidents of the Constitutional Court and the Court of Auditors.

At the end of the mission, Sophie in ‘t Veld, the Chair of the Civil Liberties Committee delegation, said: "“We observed that the public institutions overall work well. At the same time, the delegation experienced a climate of hostility, distrust and deep polarisation in the country, which erodes trust in and between various public bodies."

Rule of law in Slovenia

Under Article 2 TEU, the EU is founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights.

Article 7 TEU establishes two mechanisms (preventive and sanctioning mechanisms) to enforce European Union values in cases of systemic violations and to sanction Member States departing from them. The sanctions mechanism empowers the Council to suspend certain membership rights of a Member State, including voting rights in the Council in cases of a 'serious and persistent breach' of EU values (Article 7(2)TFEU)’. However, these mechanisms require a high decision-making threshold in the Council and in the European Parliament (when Parliament is called to participate) and rely heavily on Member States’ willingness to take action.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/rule-of-law-8th-parliamentary-term_10601_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Rule of law (2020)

Since the Law and Justice party (PiS) won both the presidential and parliamentary elections in Poland in autumn 2015, the government has undertaken a series of reforms that critics say restrict democracy.

Under the rule of law, governmental powers are limited by law and may be exercised only on the basis of law. An independent judiciary is indispensable to guaranteeing this state of affairs, and appropriate procedures, including legal remedies, must be in place to guarantee that individuals can protect their rights and trigger judicial review of governmental action.

Should an EU Member State be suspected of breaching the rule of law, a number of procedures are available to verify this and, if needed, remedy the situation.

Rule of law in Poland (2019-2020)

Disinformation campaigns are a threat to the proper functioning of democracies. The Parliament is committed to ensuring people are able to access reliable information.

Elements of disinformation and propaganda are that such information (i) is designed to be wholly or partly false, manipulated or misleading, or uses unethical persuasion techniques; (ii) regards an issue of public interest; (iii) has the intention to generate insecurity, hostility or polarisation, or attempts to disrupt democratic processes; (iv) and is disseminated and/or amplified through automated and aggressive techniques, such as social bots, artificial intelligence (AI), micro-targeting or paid human 'trolls’, often used to boost public visibility.

Fight against disinformation (2019-2020)

Every day journalists risk their lives to help keep us informed.

Freedom of Press is considered to be an essential element of democracy by the European Parliament, which strongly supports it within the EU and beyond. Article 11 of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly states that “freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected”.

Press freedom in the EU (2019- 2020)

A delegation of the Civil Liberties Committee travels to Budapest to look into developments in Hungary around EU values, judicial independence, media and academic freedom, transparency and anti-corruption measures, the situation of civil society, and the rights of LGBTIQ persons, since the committee’s last visit to the country in October 2021. MEPs meet with members of parliament (MPs) and representatives from the government, the judiciary, and local authorities, as well as from civil society across all areas of concern. Press conference on Wednesday at 14.30, local time.

LIBE delegation in Budapest

Parliament, Council, and Commission  discuss Hungary’s restrictions on the right of assembly and the announced ban on the Budapest Pride march.

On Wednesday, the European Parliament assesses the state of fundamental rights in Hungary after the pro-government majority changed the law on public assemblies in March 2025, enabling authorities to classify pro-LGBTIQ+ gatherings as violations of the Child Protection Act and consequently ban the Budapest Pride march. MEPs are set to argue that this limitation of the rights of assembly and expression is a direct violation of the basic human and civil rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and the core values of the Union.

In 1997, Budapest became the first capital of a former Communist bloc country to host a Pride march, a landmark moment for equality and freedom. However, Hungary’s government has been taking regressive steps for many years, dismantling institutions, the rule of law, and freedom of expression, to the point where Parliament can no longer consider the country a full democracy. In January 2024, MEPs once more urged the Council to unblock the process to assess Hungary’s “serious and persistent breaches of EU values”.

EP Plenary debate on the threats to fundamental rights in Hungary

Parliament quizes the Council and the Commission about how they intend to address the controversial reform proposals made by Robert Fico’s government. 

MEPs are expected to reiterate concerns about the Slovak government’s plans for criminal code reform and changes in the functioning of the country’s public-service media. MEPs say the ongoing reform, which led to the dissolution of Slovakia’s Special Prosecutor’s Office on 20 March and reduces penalties and limitation periods for financial crimes, threatens Slovakia’s ability to fight corruption and protect the EU budget. They are also likely to stress that the plans for the public broadcaster will have to be assessed in light of the EU’s recently-adopted Media Freedom Act. The proposed Act on Slovak Television and Radio is facing widespread criticism for giving the government direct control over public media, and curtailing their independence.

Plenary debate - Rule of Law in Slovakia

MEPs quiz Council and Commission representatives on the premature release of frozen EU funds, the lack of progress in the Article 7 procedure, and other threats to EU values.

MEPs discuss the President’s decision (based on a recommendation of the Committee on legal Affairs) to ask the Court of Justice of the EU to clarify the Commission’s role in and margins of discretion around the unfreezing of EU cohesion funds for Hungary. They will also look into the continuing threat to EU values, institutions, and funds posed by the Hungarian government, including the lack of progress on the Article 7(1) procedure initiated by Parliament in 2018. Last January, MEPs asked the European Council to determine whether Hungary has committed “serious and persistent breaches of EU values” under the more direct Article 7(2) procedure.

MEPs are likely to raise the upcoming Hungarian Presidency of the Council of EU (in the second half of 2024), Hungary’s repeated abuse of the right of veto and blackmail in the European Council, and the Commission’s launch of an infringement procedure concerning the country’s “sovereignty law”.

Plenary debate - Hungary: threats to rule of law.

The impact of the announced reform of the criminal code on Slovakia’s efforts to fight corruption is debated with Commission and Council. On 6 December, the new Slovak government tabled a draft law to overhaul the country’s penal code. If approved by its parliament, the special prosecutor’s office dealing with the most serious crimes and corruption would be dismantled. The government also intends to soften penalties for corruption offences. Several investigators and police officers looking into corruption charges have already faced repercussions from the new government, such as being dismissed, suspended or sidelined from these investigations. Prime Minister Robert Fico wants the draft law to be adopted under the urgency procedure. Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová has already said she would veto the law. Critics have warned that dismantling the special prosecutor’s office could have an impact on the ongoing investigation into the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová in 2018.

Debate - Planned dissolution of key anti-corruption structures in Slovakia and its implications on the Rule of Law

EP Plenary session - Recent legislative changes in Hungary and their impact on fundamental rights

EP Plenary session - Commission’s 2021 Rule of Law report

EP Plenary session - Key debate - Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Poland and Hungary

EP Plenary session - Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Poland and Hungary

Press conference - The Hungarian elections and implications for the rule of law

European Council - Arrival of Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, following her participation to the European Council

Ukrainian Flag is raised inside the EP building in Brussels

Special European Council on the situation in Ukraine

EP building in Brussels, illuminated in Blue and Yellow in support to Ukraine

AFET - SEDE extraordinary joint meeting - Exchange of views with EU VP/HR Josep BORELL and Members of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on the Russian military agression

Illustration of the European flag and Ukrainian flag

Extraordinary meeting of the EP Conference of President on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine

EP LIBE and AFCO delegations to Poland, Warsaw

EP LIBE and AFCO delegations to Poland, Warsaw - Visit at the European Parliament's liaison office.

EP Plenary session - The Rule of Law and the consequences of the ECJ ruling

MEPs debate and vote on the latest Commission report on the respect for core EU values across member states. MEPs are set to confirm that the Commission’s reporting has improved, but that rule of law is deteriorating and that specific concerns persist in several EU countries.

2022 Rule of Law report - the Rule of Law situation in the European Union: MEPs debate

Sophie IN'T VELD (Renew, NL) Chair of the LIBE delegation to Greece, gives a press conference in Athens on the conclusions of the fact-finding mission. The fact-finding mission is organised under the remit of the Committee on Civil Liberties (LIBE) and in line with the DRFMG (working group on Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights) mandate. The aim of the mission is to take stock of the new developments in the country, and to continue the DRFMG work dedicated to the situation in Greece, with special focus on the situation of the rule of law, fight against corruption and media freedom. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Sophie IN'T VELD (Renew, NL) Chair of the LIBE delegation to Greece, on the conclusions of the fact-finding mission

From 20 to 21 February, a delegation of ten MEPs visits Budapest, Hungary, to learn more about allegations of spyware abuse targeting journalists, the opposition and civil society. During their two-day visit, the MEPs speak with the leadership of the Hungarian National Assembly’s Committee on National Security, the President of the National Authority for Data Protection and Freedom of Information Dr. Attila Péterfalvi, journalists and NGO representatives. The visit finishes with a press conference by Jeroen LENAERS, PEGA Chair and Sophia IN'T VELD, Rapporteur.

Press conference by Jeroen LENAERS (EPP, NL), PEGA Chair and Sophia IN'T VELD (Renew, NL), Rapporteur, following the visit of the PEGA delegation in Budapest (Hungary)

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The recent deterioration of the inhuman imprisonment conditions of Alexey Navalny and other political prisoners in Russia. Closing statement by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management:

The recent deterioration of the inhuman imprisonment conditions of Alexey Navalny and other political prisoners in Russia

EPRS identifies and frames some of the top key issues that might feature prominently in public debate and on the political agenda of the European Union this year. In times of crises and war, what are the challenges we must face and choices we have to make? Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Protecting media freedom and journalists

Powerful. Moving. Visionary. There were speeches in the history of the European Union that have made Europe the way it is today. In this short video, you can see a selection of famous quotes from:TIMOTHY GARTON ASH, LOUISE WEISS, FRANÇOIS MITTERRAND, HELMUT KOHL, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, NADIA MURAD, TOOMAS ILVES, TIMOTHY SNYDER, ROBERTA METSOLA, SVIATLANA TSIKHANOUSKAYA, VACLAV HAVEL, GRETA THUNBERG Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely. Powerful. Moving. Visionary. There were speeches in the history of the European Union that have made Europe the way it is today. In this short video, you can see a selection of famous quotes from:

EPRS - Speeches that have made Europe

Over the years, techniques to limit freedom of expression have been refined, in innovative ways, often taking advantage of a legal void or grey zones between legal norms. Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) are abusive or meritless lawsuits filed against someone for exercising their political rights or freedom of expression in relation to matters of public interest. In April 2022, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a directive intended to protect people who engage in public participation from these manifestly unfounded or abusive civil court proceedings with cross-border implications. The proposal is being analysed by the co-legislators. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Combating strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs)

To mark the 10th anniversary of Parliament's democracy support activities, MEPs and representatives of the democracy support community gather at a high-level event on ‘Supporting Parliamentary Democracy Worldwide: Building democratic resilience’. Roberta METSOLA, EP President, opens the event with a speech.

10 Years of Supporting Democracy beyond the EU: opening speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

The conference, dedicated to the 10th anniversary of European Parliament's democracy support activities is opened by President Roberta Metsola and bring together high-level speakers to reflect upon the lessons-earned from the past ten years and stake out the way ahead in setting future priorities and development of the European Parliament's democracy support. Extracts from the opening statements and atmosphere shots of the event, with special guests such as Pat COX, former EP President, Hauwa IBRAHIM, 2005 Sakharov Prize laureate, SAlih MAHMOUD OSMAN, 2007 Sakharov Prize Laureate and Leyla YUNUS, 2014 Sakharov finalist.

10 Years of Supporting Democracy beyond the EU (Democracy support and Election coordination Group (DEG)): atmosphere shots

MEPs vote on several texts, including Macro-Financial Assistance+' instrument for providing support to Ukraine for 2023, Assessment of Hungary's compliance with the rule of law conditions under the conditionality, regulation and state of play of the Hungarian RRP, Motion for resolution - Situation of human rights in the context of the FIFA world cup in Qatar.

Voting session, including Macro-Financial Assistance+' instrument for providing support to Ukraine for 2023, Assessment of Hungary's compliance with the rule of law conditions under the conditionality, and state of play of the Hungarian RRP

On 18 September 2022 the Commission proposed the freezing of €7.5 billion in EU funds for Hungary, citing corruption and public procurement concerns, after triggering the EU’s rule of law conditionality mechanism against Hungary in April. MEPs discuss the state of play of the negotiations between the Commission and Hungary linked to the protection of the EU budget and the recovery and resilience plan. Second part of the MEPs debate.

State of play of the negotiations between the Commission and the Hungarian Government linked to the Conditionality Regulation and the RRP: MEPs debate (part 2/2)

On 18 September 2022 the Commission proposed the freezing of €7.5 billion in EU funds for Hungary, citing corruption and public procurement concerns, after triggering the EU’s rule of law conditionality mechanism against Hungary in April. MEPs discuss the state of play of the negotiations between the Commission and Hungary linked to the protection of the EU budget and the recovery and resilience plan. Closing statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice.

State of play of the negotiations between the Commission and the Hungarian Government linked to the Conditionality Regulation and the RRP: closing statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

On 18 September 2022 the Commission proposed the freezing of €7.5 billion in EU funds for Hungary, citing corruption and public procurement concerns, after triggering the EU’s rule of law conditionality mechanism against Hungary in April. MEPs discuss the state of play of the negotiations between the Commission and Hungary linked to the protection of the EU budget and the recovery and resilience plan. First part of the MEPs debate.

State of play of the negotiations between the Commission and the Hungarian Government linked to the Conditionality Regulation and the RRP: MEPs debate (part 1/2)

On 18 September 2022 the Commission proposed the freezing of €7.5 billion in EU funds for Hungary, citing corruption and public procurement concerns, after triggering the EU’s rule of law conditionality mechanism against Hungary in April. MEPs discuss the state of play of the negotiations between the Commission and Hungary linked to the protection of the EU budget and the recovery and resilience plan. Opening statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice.

State of play of the negotiations between the Commission and the Hungarian Government on Conditionality Regulation and the RRP: opening statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

Press conference on the latest developments of the Rule of Law conditionality regulation: Commission’s upcoming evaluation of the 17 remedial measures by Hungary. Statements by Petri SARVAMAA (EPP,FI), Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL (S&D, ES), co-rapporteurs, and by Moritz KÖRNER (Renew, DE), Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE). This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference on the EU Commission’s upcoming evaluation of the 17 remedial measures by Hungary by Petri SARVAMAA (EPP, FI), Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL (S&D, ES), co-rapporteurs, Moritz KÖRNER (Renew, DE) and by Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE)

MEPs vote on Specific provisions for the 2014-2020 cooperation programmes supported by the European Neighbourhood Instrument and under the European territorial cooperation goal, following programme implementation disruption - Michael GAHLER (EPP,DE), Proposal for a Decision on the non-recognition of Russian travel documents issued in occupied foreign regions, Motions for resolutions - The Rule of Law in Malta, five years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Motion for resolutions - Growing hate crimes against LGBTIQ people across Europe in light of the recent homophobic murder in Slovakia, Motions for resolutions - UN Climate Change Conference 2022 in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt (COP27), Motions for resolutions - Cultural solidarity with Ukraine and a joint emergency response mechanism for cultural recovery in Europe and Motions for resolutions - The situation in Burkina Faso following the coup d’état (Debate: 04/10/2022).

Voting session

Closing statements of what the Parliament reviewed on the developments in the investigation into Daphne Caruana Galizia’s death and the ensuing political reforms, five years after her murder. In particular, MEPs will look into the situation of the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights in the country. closing statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice.

The Rule of Law in Malta, five years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: closing statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

Parliament will review the developments in the investigation into Daphne Caruana Galizia’s death and the ensuing political reforms, five years after her murder. In particular, MEPs will look into the situation of the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights in the country.

442 Ergebnisse