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.

EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights (T)

EU - Poland (T)

EU - Hungary (T)

rule of law

Multiannual financial framework 2021-2027 (T)

Rule of law (2020)

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EP Plenary session - Situation of Fundamental Rights in the European Union - Annual Report for the years 2018-2019

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Conclusions of the European Council / MFF, Rule of Law Conditionality and Own Resources - Joint debate: One round Political group leaders

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Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 10-11 December 2020: extracts from the debate on MFF

Lex signing ceremony in presence of David SASSOLI, EP President, Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner, and Michael ROTH, German Minister of State for Europe and President in office of the Council of the EU

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Conclusions of the European Council / MFF, Rule of Law Conditionality and Own Resources - Joint debate: MEPs debate 1/3

Conclusions of the European Council / MFF, Rule of Law Conditionality and Own Resources - Joint debate: MEPs debate 2/3

Conclusions of the European Council / MFF, Rule of Law Conditionality and Own Resources - Joint debate: MEPs debate 3/3

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Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

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Abortion rights in Poland: Opening statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

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Abortion rights in Poland: MEPs debate

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 10-11 December 2020: Opening statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission

Abortion rights in Poland: extracts from the debate and illustration shots

Abortion rights in Poland: Closing statements by Council and Commission

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