2023 Rule of Law Report. The rule of law situation in the European Union

Summary:

Report published by the European Commission on 5 July 2023, assessing the situation in the European Union (EU) as a whole and in each Member State as regards the rule of law.

Further information:

The annual Rule of Law Report is at the centre of the Commission's Rule of Law Mechanism. This is yearly cycle aimed at promoting the rule of law and preventing problems from emerging or deepening further. It aims to improve understanding and awareness of issues, identify challenges and support countries in finding solutions. It also allows Member States to exchange best practice, discuss among themselves and learn from each other. The objective of the Mechanism is preventive and it is separate from other elements in the EU's Rule of Law Toolbox. It complements but it does not replace the Treaty-based mechanisms for the EU response to serious rule of law issues in Member States.

The report covers four pillars: national justice systems, anti-corruption frameworks, media pluralism and other institutional checks-and balances. The report also includes specific recommendations to Member States. The Commission's objective is to assist and support Member States in their efforts to take forward reforms and to identify where improvements or follow-up to recent changes or reforms may be needed, based on continuous dialogue.

This annual report was published by the European Commission on 5 July 2023. It is the fourth annual Rule of Law Report issued by the Commission. The report is accompanied by individual chapters covering the reality in each EU Member State.

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News

Reuters, 05/07/2023: Democracy 'not radically worse' in EU than a year ago, says bloc's executive https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/democracy-not-radically-worse-eu-than-year-ago-says-executive-2023-07-05/

Politico, 05/07/2023: EU chides Poland for stagnant rule-of-law progress https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-chides-poland-stagnant-rule-of-law-progress/

Times of Malta, 05/07/2023: Malta’s justice system has become less efficient – EU rule of law report https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/malta-justice-system-less-efficient-eu-rule-law-report.1041950

EUObserver, 05/07/2023: Poland and Hungary still lagging, says annual EU rule-of-law report https://euobserver.com/rule-of-law/157235

Notes from Poland, 05/07/2023: “Serious concerns persist” over rule of law in Poland, says EU https://notesfrompoland.com/2023/07/05/serious-concerns-persist-over-rule-of-law-in-poland-says-eu/

RTL Today, 06/07/2023: Luxembourg advised to fully implement reform on access to legal aid: European Commission https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/2082646.html

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Official

European Commission: Justice and Fundamental Rights: 2023 Rule of law report https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/upholding-rule-law/rule-law/rule-law-mechanism/2023-rule-law-report_en

European Commission: Press Release, 05/07/2023: Rule of Law Report 2023: Progress on 65% of recommendations, but further action needed https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3631

European Commission: Q&A: Rule of Law Report 2023 (5 July 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_23_3632

European Commission: Speaking points by Vice-President Jourová and Commissioner Reynders on the Rule of Law Report 2023 (5 July 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_23_3708

Renew Europe EP Group: Newsroom, 05/07/2023: Rule of Law Report 2023: still not enough progress for the release of frozen funds https://www.reneweuropegroup.eu/news/2023-07-05/rule-of-law-report-2023-still-not-enough-progress-for-the-release-of-any-funds

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