Rule of Law

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

Poland: Election campaign between unequal opponents
Expensive election gifts and confidants in central positions: Ahead of Poland's elections on Oct. 15, it is becoming apparent how the ruling PiS party is exploiting its advantage over the opposition. continue reading →
EU Parliament calls for observer mission for elections in Poland
The EU Parliament is calling for an OSCE election observation mission for the upcoming elections in Poland. The background is, among other things, a “deep concern” about changes to Poland’s electoral law, according to a resolution adopted in Strasbourg on Tuesday. The parliament fears, among other things, that the changes could disadvantage voters abroad. The […] continue reading →
EU Parliament to deprive Hungary of Council Presidency
Yesterday, the European Parliament debated Hungary’s disregard for the rule of law and fundamental rights, as well as its frozen EU funds. This morning, the Parliament will vote on a resolution to this effect, which strongly condemns Hungary’s extensive violations of the rule of law in various areas, such as bypassing parliamentary participation in legislative […] continue reading →
Jourová: Reforms in Hungary are not yet enough
Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová has praised Hungary’s progress on rule-of-law reforms. The changes adopted to strengthen the independence of the judiciary are “an important step in the right direction”, Jourová said after the General Council meeting in Brussels. Progress was also evident in the fight against corruption and conflicts of interest, she said, but “there […] continue reading →
EU and US concerned about new law in Poland
The EU Commission and the US State Department have expressed concern about a new law in Poland that allows certain individuals to be barred from public office without a judicial process. The EU Commission will not hesitate to take action against it, Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said Tuesday in Brussels. “It is impossible to agree […] continue reading →
Despite judicial reform: Hungary still to wait for EU funds
The Hungarian parliament has passed an amendment aimed at strengthening the independence of the judiciary. The bill by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s right-wing government was approved by 151 deputies on Wednesday, including 19 from the opposition. There was no vote against it.With the legislative package, which was fast-tracked through Parliament, Orbán wants to gain access […] continue reading →
Poland: ECJ halves daily penalty payments
In the dispute over the controversial judicial reform in Poland, the Vice President of the European Court of Justice has halved the penalty payments. Instead of €1 million, Poland must now pay only €500,000 daily. The court in Luxembourg announced this on Friday.Poland had requested the full suspension of the penalty payment in March after […] continue reading →
Rule of law: Commission sues Poland
In a dispute with Poland over the principles of the rule of law, the Commission has filed a complaint with the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ). The move was triggered by rulings by the Polish Constitutional Court in July and October last year, which ruled that provisions of EU treaties were unconstitutional […] continue reading →
Judicial reform: Constitutional Court to review
Polish President Andrzej Duda is having the Constitutional Court review a law containing amendments to controversial judicial reforms. It raises “serious constitutional controversies,” the national conservative politician announced. The amendment can only come into force once its compatibility with the Polish constitution has been clarified. Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro welcomed the decision, according to the […] continue reading →
Hungary: Council must now decide
In the dispute over frozen funds for Hungary, the EU Commission passed the ball back to the member states. In a letter to the current Czech EU presidency, Commissioner for Budget and Administration Johannes Hahn reiterated the assessment that the recent anti-corruption and anti-nepotism measures taken by Budapest were not sufficient (You can find the […] continue reading →
Rule of law dispute with Hungary: finance ministers call for new assessment
In the dispute over the rule of law in Hungary and possible EU sanctions, the finance ministers have passed the ball back to the EU Commission. Meanwhile, Hungary is increasing the pressure by blocking the planned European budget support for Ukraine. continue reading →
Ecofin: probably no fiscal reform yet
According to insiders, the German government does not believe that there will be a quick agreement in the EU on a reform of the European debt rules. There will be an intensive exchange of views on this at tomorrow’s meeting of European finance ministers, German government circles said in advance. “There are voices that are […] continue reading →
European Parliament: no EU billions for Hungary
EU states are to freeze several billion euros because of rule of law deficiencies in Hungary, according to the European Parliament. The measures proposed by Hungary for a better rule of law are not sufficient to address existing systemic risks, the EU Parliament said. Earlier, a majority of MEPs approved a resolution to that effect […] continue reading →
Hungary: Commission rejects release of EU funds
According to information available to Europe.Table, the authority considers the reforms promised by Budapest to be insufficient to eliminate the rule of law deficiencies. Prime Minister Orbán will probably have to do without the urgently needed billions from Brussels for longer. continue reading →
Didier Reynders – ‘Rule of law is not a matter of compromise’
Didier Reynders keeps chatting in the backseat of his limousine during the video interview – the 64-year-old Belgian is currently on his way from Brussels to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Reynders has a lot to talk about. He already had a long career as a minister in Belgium before becoming Ursula von der Leyen’s […] continue reading →
MEPs reject disbursement of EU funds to Hungary
The European Parliament’s rapporteurs have warned the EU Commission against releasing funds withheld to Hungary because of flaws in the rule of law. The measures under discussion between the Commission and Budapest are not likely to resolve the risks to the EU budget, said S&D MEP Eider Gardiazabal Rubial. “None of these measures will solve […] continue reading →
Reynders calls for broad discussion on rule of law
EU Commissioner Didier Reynders wants to broaden the debate on the rule of law in Europe. He is determined to take it to national capitals and parliaments and to involve civil society more. This is clear from the text of Reynders’ Humboldt speech on Europe, excerpts of which are available to Europe.Table. Both are important, […] continue reading →
EU Commission threatens Poland
The EU Commission threatens Poland not to pay out further billions because of the controversial reform of the judicial system. The lion’s share of the €75 billion until 2027 would be affected, a spokesman for the Brussels-based authority said on Monday. At issue are funds from the EU budget’s Cohesion Fund for the period 2021 […] continue reading →