The COVID-19 global pandemic and Russia’s war against Ukraine had a significant impact on the European Parliament’s agenda during its ninth parliamentary term. In the wake of a health crisis and geopolitical challenges, during its ninth legislative term, Parliament focussed on the green and digital transitions to enhance the EU’s resilience while also strengthening democratic values.

The ninth legislative term of the European Parliament

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.

Rule of law

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

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.

Rule of law (2020)

LIBE Interparliamentary Committee meeting on the situation of the Rule of Law

EP Plenary session - 2024 Annual Rule of law report

Press conference on the situation in Hungary and the rule of law

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144) Latest attacks against women, women's rights defenders in Iran, and its arbitrary detention of EU nationals

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

EP Plenary session - The electoral law, the investigative committee and the rule of law in Poland

Press conference - Breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds

EP Plenary session - Rule of law report 2022

EP Plenary session.- Topical debate - Protecting the Rule of Law against impunity in Spain

LIBE Committee -  Exchange of views with Pilar LLOP CUENCA, Spanish Minister of Justice of on the situation of the Rule of Law in Spain

EP Plenary session - The Commission’s reports on the situation of journalists and the implications of the rule of law

EP Plenary session- Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - The arrest of Cardinal Zen and the trustees of the 612 relief fund in Hong Kong

EP Plenary session - The rule of law and the potential approval of the Polish national Recovery Plan (RRF)

Democracy and the rule of law in the light of the new WHO Treaty

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

EP Plenary session - Key debate - Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Poland and Hungary

Press conference - The Hungarian elections and implications for the rule of law

MEPs discuss Poland’s revision of its electoral law as well as the new administrative body that threatens civil rights. MEPs had a first discussion during the May II plenary session on the Polish government’s so-called “State Commission for the examination of Russian interference in the internal security of Poland” from 2007-2022. This Commission, created in May 2023, raises serious concerns in terms of conformity with EU law, as it is an administrative body with the power to bar individuals from public office. Furthermore, MEPs focus on the recent judgement of the Court of Justice of the EU, which confirms that Polish justice reform of December 2019 that set up the Disciplinary Chamber for judges infringes EU law - a position that Parliament has repeatedly upheld. Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice and by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs

The electoral law, the investigative committee and the rule of law in Poland: Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice and by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs

From 19 to 21 September, a delegation of ten MEPs from the EP’s spyware inquiry committee will be in Warsaw to hear from victims of spyware, local politicians, and other experts. The mission ends with the press conference held by Jeroen LENAERS (EPP, NL), Head of the delegation and PEGA Chair and by Sophia IN 'T VELD (Renew, NL), rapporteur

Press conference by Jeroen LENAERS (EPP, NL), Head of the delegation and PEGA Chair and by Sophia IN 'T VELD (Renew, NL), rapporteur - MEPs Delegation of the PEGA Committee to Warsaw

Press conference by Stéphane SÉJOURNÉ (Renew Europe, FR), New elected President.

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