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

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

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

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

During the plenary session in Brussels, MEPs vote on several initiatives: Request for the waiver of the immunity of Anna Júlia Donáth - Sergey LAGODINSKY (Greens/EFA,DE); Joint Investigation Teams collaboration platform - Malik AZMANI (Renew, NL); European Year of Skills 2023 - Loucas FOURLAS (EPP, CY); General Product Safety Regulation - Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ); Equal pay for equal work between men and women (pay transparency and enforcement mechanisms) - Kira Marie PETER-HANSEN (Greens/EFA, DK) and Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL); Fluorinated gases regulation - Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL); Ozone depleting substances - Jessica POLFJÄRD (EPP, SE); Rule of law situation in the European Union - Motions for Resolutions.

Plenary session - Voting session, including Equal pay for equal work between men and women

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.

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Rule of law - 8th parliamentary term

Rule of law in Romania

Rule of law in Poland - 8th parliamentary term

Rule of law in Slovenia

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Plenary session - Voting session, including Equal pay for equal work between men and women

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

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

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)

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

EPRS - Protecting media freedom and journalists

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

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

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

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

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

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