The eighth meeting of the Accession Conference with Albania confirmed that Albania has, on the whole, met the interim criteria of the so-called Group 1: Foundations. This group covers, in particular, the functioning of democratic institutions, public administration reform, the rule of law and economic criteria. “The milestone reached today by Albania confirms the fulfilment […]
2025 Rule of Law Report: Europe’s democracy, security and economy
Last July 8, the Commission published its sixth annual Rule of Law Report, examining rule of law developments in all Member States. This is the first report under the Commission’s new mandate. It consolidates the successful engagement with Member States based on a preventive and dialogue-based approach to strengthen the rule of law, and it is an […]
Commission launches 2025 Rule of Law consultation
The European Commission has launched a targeted consultation to seek public input on rule of law developments, both at national and EU level, as part of the preparation of the Rule of Law Report 2025. The consultation is open to judicial associations, civil society, NGOs, international organisations, EU agencies and other interested parties. The information […]
The Commission has published its fifth annual Rule of Law Report
The Commission has published its fifth annual Rule of Law Report, examining systematically and objectively rule of law developments in all Member States on an equal basis. In comparison to the first issue of the Rule of Law Report adopted in 2020, Member States and the EU as a whole are much better prepared to detect, […]
European Commission proposes structured dialogue with Spain on the Spanish General Council of the Judiciary
In its 2022 and 2023 Rule of Law Report for Spain, the Commission had made the following recommendation: “Proceed with the renewal of the Council for the Judiciary as a matter of priority and initiate, immediately after the renewal, a process in view of adapting the appointment of its judges-members, taking into account European standards […]
Council debates EU long-term budget
EU’s long-term budget The Council held a policy debate on the mid-term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, proposed by the Commission on 20 June 2023. The Commission presented the package to the Council. Ministers provided their initial comments on its main elements: the creation of a Ukraine facility for 2024-2027 the proposed additional […]
Rule of Law Report 2023 – Abstract and Recommendations for Spain
The Spanish justice system is still undergoing some important developments. The situation of the Council for the Judiciary raises serious concerns as, firstly, the Council has not been renewed in spite of the urgency and, secondly, no steps have been taken to adapt the appointment procedure for its judges-members. The lack of renewal is having […]
The European Commission has published its Rule of Law Report 2023
The Commission has published its fourth annual Rule of Law Report, taking the pulse of the rule of law situation in each Member State. While Rule of Law concerns remain in some EU Member States, the report has become a key driver for change and positive reforms. In fact, 65% of last year’s recommendations have been, […]
CJEU declares the December 2019 reform of the Polish judicial system illegal.
Following the adoption, by Poland, on 20 December 2019, of a law amending the national rules relating to the organisation of the ordinary courts, the administrative courts and the Supreme Court (‘the amending law’), the European Commission brought an action for failure to fulfil obligations, asking the Court of Justice to declare that the regime […]