EU Rule of Law Report: Commission records attacks on the rule of law - and does not act
The EU Commission presented its annual Rule of Law Report today. For the first time, the Commission’s report also sheds light on the effects of rule of law deficiencies on the EU internal market – this is particularly evident in Hungary. The Orban government is systematically harassing unwelcome companies and taking over entire sectors of the economy. Civil society and minorities are also being further criminalised and independent media systematically put under pressure. In Slovakia, the Commission sees particularly clear setbacks this year – especially in the fight against corruption.
Daniel Freund, Green negotiator for the Rule of Law Report, comments:
“This is the sixth time that the Commission has published its Rule of Law Report and recorded the attacks on the rule of law. But it does not act. Even in Member States where things have been getting worse for years and all of the Commission’s recommendations have been ignored, it is not taking any action.
The EU Commission knows every detail of the dramatic developments in Hungary. There is no longer any excuse not to act. Leading MEPs called on Von der Leyen weeks ago to finally freeze all EU funds for Hungary. As long as fundamental rights are being restricted and democratic institutions systematically dismantled, no further EU money should be channelled to Hungary.
The assessments of Slovakia are also clear: the Fico government is dismantling the fight against corruption, attacking independent voices and does not shy away from misappropriating EU funds. The Commission must not make the same mistake here as it did in Hungary: looking on for too long and only reacting when the rule of law has already been completely destroyed. The rule of law instruments explicitly state that even small sums of EU funds can be frozen if there are risks. This is exactly what the Commission must do now: take early and targeted action before it is too late.”
Click here for this year’s Rule of Law Report: https://commission.europa.eu/publications/2025-rule-law-report-communication-and-country-chapters_en