Rule of Law: Commission Must Act, Not Just Report
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The European Commission published its seventh Rule of Law Report. It highlights significant backsliding in Slovakia, where the Commission criticizes the Fico government for dismantling anti-corruption bodies and weakening criminal laws related to corruption. These changes have led to a sharp decline in uncovered corruption cases – so much so that in 2025, not a single new high-level corruption case was exposed. In response, the European Parliament had already urged the Commission in April to withhold EU funds from Slovakia.
The Commission notes that Hungary is in a transitional phase regarding the rule of law. After years of Viktor Orbán’s government suppressing the media, judiciary, and civil society, the new administration under Péter Magyar has been working since May to restore democratic norms. The Commission commends Hungary’s decision to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, as well as recent laws strengthening the integrity authority and improving asset declaration systems. However, it stresses that more progress is needed, including stronger action against high-level corruption.
The report also directs sharp criticism at several other member states, including Malta, Bulgaria, and Poland, citing persistent shortcomings in media freedom, anti-corruption efforts, and judicial independence. According to the Commission, member states have fully or partially implemented only 47% of the recommendations from the 2025 Rule of Law Report.
You can read this year’s Rule of Law Report here.
Daniel Freund, Member of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs: “While it’s encouraging to see Hungary moving in the right direction, the overall situation in Europe remains alarming. Rule of law standards are under threat in many places. This makes it clear: the Commission cannot just report – it must act. It needs to freeze funds where the rule of law is being eroded. The Commission must show greater commitment to effectively safeguarding the rule of law across Europe.”