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.

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

EU - Poland (T)

EU - Hungary (T)

EU - Slovenia (T)

rule of law

Multiannual financial framework 2021-2027 (T)

Rule of law

DrFMG - LIBE delegation in Slovakia - Meeting with Prime Minister Eduard Heger, Minister of Interior Roman Mikulec and Minister of Justice Maria Kolíkova

DrFMG - LIBE delegation in Slovakia - meeting with Slovak media, meeting with NGO’s and meeting with parents of Jan Kuciak.

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights in Hungary and Poland

Infoclip: Rule of law - Hungary

CONT Press conference  - The EU Commission has to Cut Funding to Hungary: The Legal Case

Plenary Session - Rule of Law situation in the European Union and the application of the conditionality regulation 2020/2092

EP Plenary session - The Rule of Law conditionality mechanism

Infoclip: Rule of law - Poland

Recent legislative changes in Hungary and their impact on fundamental rights: MEPs debate

Recent legislative changes in Hungary and their impact on fundamental rights: opening statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs and Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, and the Rule of Law

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

Recent legislative changes in Hungary and their impact on fundamental rights: closing statement by Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection

EP Plenary debate on the threats to fundamental rights in Hungary

Plenary debate - Rule of Law in Slovakia

Plenary debate - Hungary: threats to rule of law.

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

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Recent legislative changes in Hungary and their impact on fundamental rights: extracts from the debate

Crackdown on democracy in Türkiye and the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu: opening statement by Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement on behalf of HRVP

Crackdown on democracy in Türkiye and the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu: MEPs debate

Crackdown on democracy in Türkiye and the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu: closing statement by Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement on behalf of HRVP

Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2024: extracts from the ceremony and statement by the laureate

Seven years from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: lack of progress in restoring the rule of law in Malta: Closing statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

Seven years from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: lack of progress in restoring the rule of law in Malta: MEPs debate

Seven years from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: lack of progress in restoring the rule of law in Malta: opening statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

Press conference by Tineke STRIK (Greens/EFA, NL), rapporteur, Michał WAWRYKIEWICZ (EPP, PL), Thijs REUTEN (S&D, NL), Fabienne KELLER (Renew, FR) and Konstantinos ARVANITIS (The Left, EL), on the situation in Hungary and the rule of law

Eurovision Debate 2024 (Clean feed) - Topic 4: Democracy and Leadership

European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024): Rule of law, democracy and equal rights

How does the European Parliament work? (2019-2024) - Powers of the European Parliament: democratic control and influence

Attempts to dismantle Rule of Law and media freedom in Slovakia: extracts from the debate

Attempts to dismantle Rule of Law and media freedom in Slovakia: Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, and Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian Secretary of State for Digitalisation

Attempts to dismantle Rule of Law and media freedom in Slovakia: MEPs debate

Attempts to dismantle Rule of Law and media freedom in Slovakia: Opening statements by Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian Secretary of State for Digitalisation, and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Hungary to strengthen Rule of Law and its budgetary implications: Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, and Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian Secretary of State

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