EU Parliament Calls for Action on Rule‑of‑Law Report

What the resolution is about

• The European Parliament (EP) reacts to the Commission’s 2025 “Rule‑of‑Law” report.
• It asks the Commission to act on the report, strengthen EU tools for protecting the rule of law, and ensure EU money is paid only to states that respect democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights.

Why the EP is concerned

• Rule of law & democracy – Independent courts, checks on the executive and political interference are still weak in several member states, especially Hungary and Poland.
• Fundamental rights – Freedom of expression, privacy, equality and minority protection are threatened; discrimination and hate speech are rising.
• Corruption – Public officials sometimes use power for personal gain; anti‑corruption bodies are weak or politicised.
• Media freedom – Journalists face lawsuits, intimidation and spyware; public‑service media are under political pressure.
• Civil society – NGOs, human‑rights defenders and civil‑society groups are increasingly restricted, fined or blocked from funding.
• EU budget – Some EU funds have been used in ways that violate fundamental rights or are linked to corruption.
• Enlargement – New EU members must meet the same high standards of democracy and rule of law.
• External action – The EU must support rule‑of‑law principles abroad and protect the integrity of international courts such as the ICC.

What the EP wants the Commission to do

• Rule‑of‑law monitoring – Use clear, measurable benchmarks; publish a “rule‑of‑law scoreboard”; set deadlines and targets.
• Budgetary conditionality – Apply the Rule‑of‑Law Conditionality Regulation consistently and early; link EU funds to rule‑of‑law commitments; keep a public list of compliant and non‑compliant countries.
• Judicial independence – Ensure courts are appointed and promoted by independent bodies; protect judges and prosecutors from political pressure and SLAPP lawsuits.
• Anti‑corruption – Strengthen the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and the European Anti‑Fraud Office; require independent anti‑corruption agencies and public corruption data.
• Media & privacy – Enforce the Digital Services Act and the European Media Freedom Act; stop spyware use against journalists and civil‑society actors.
• Civil society & minorities – Protect NGOs, human‑rights defenders and minority groups from harassment and funding restrictions; ensure EU programmes are accessible to all, including minorities.
• Enlargement & external action – Keep high standards for candidate and potential‑candidate countries; tie EU assistance to reforms in democracy, rule of law and anti‑corruption.
• Reporting improvements – Publish the rule‑of‑law report every June; use data from the European Court of Auditors, the Fundamental Rights Agency and other bodies; involve the Parliament’s Democracy, Rule‑of‑Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group more closely.

Key recommendations for specific countries

• Hungary – Use the Conditionality Regulation against Hungary for its ongoing breaches (judiciary, media, anti‑corruption).
• Poland – Continue monitoring Poland’s reforms and apply budgetary measures if the country fails to meet the rule‑of‑law standards.
• Other member states – All states must address any back‑sliding, especially in judicial independence, media freedom and anti‑corruption.

How the EP wants EU institutions to act

• Commission – Follow the report’s recommendations; use all available tools (budgetary, legal, political) to enforce rule of law.
• Council – Make Article 7 (the “rule‑of‑law” procedure) more transparent and decisive; publish detailed minutes of Article 7 hearings.
• European Court of Justice (CJEU) – Ensure its judgments on rule‑of‑law matters are implemented promptly.
• European Parliament – Keep a clear, annual cycle of monitoring, reporting and follow‑up; use the DRFMG to gather evidence and push for action.

Bottom line

• The EU must keep its core values—democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights—under strict scrutiny.
• The Commission must use budgetary powers, legal tools and political influence to make sure EU money goes only to states that respect these values.
• The EU must protect journalists, civil‑society groups, minorities and the judiciary from political interference and corruption.
• The EU must maintain the same high standards for new members and for its external partners.
• In short, the EP wants the EU to act decisively, transparently and consistently to protect the rule of law and the rights of all people in the Union.

Broader context

The Rule of Law Report is part of the EU’s annual monitoring mechanism, introduced in 2020 to address growing concerns about democratic backsliding in some member states. This mechanism was created because the EU saw a need to systematically track and respond to threats like political interference in courts, media censorship, corruption, and attacks on civil society.

The Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation (adopted in 2020) allows the EU to freeze or redirect funds to member states that violate these principles. This is a powerful tool, as the EU budget is one of the main ways the Union can pressure governments to comply with its values.

The Article 7 procedure is another key tool, which can be triggered if there is a "clear risk of a serious breach" of EU values. It can ultimately lead to suspension of voting rights in the EU Council, though this has never been used to its full extent.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) are EU bodies that investigate corruption and fraud involving EU funds. Strengthening them is seen as crucial to fighting corruption across the EU.

The Digital Services Act and the European Media Freedom Act are newer laws designed to protect media independence and limit the misuse of digital platforms for disinformation or surveillance.

Impact on people living in the EU

For citizens, this resolution means:

• Stronger protections for fundamental rights: If the EU enforces these rules, people can expect better safeguards for freedom of speech, privacy, and equality. This includes less discrimination and more protection for minorities, such as LGBTIQ+ communities.

• More independent courts: Judges and prosecutors would be less influenced by politics, meaning fairer trials and stronger legal protections for everyone.

• Less corruption: With stricter rules and better enforcement, public money (including EU funds) is less likely to be misused or stolen by officials.

• Freer media: Journalists and media outlets would face less political pressure, leading to more reliable news and less censorship.

• Support for civil society: NGOs and activists would have more freedom to operate, less harassment, and better access to funding.

• Safer digital spaces: The ban on spyware against journalists and activists and stronger enforcement of digital laws could mean less surveillance and more privacy online.

For businesses and organizations, it means:

• Fairer competition: Less corruption and stronger rule of law can create a more level playing field for businesses.
• More stable investments: Countries that respect the rule of law are more attractive for investment, as risks like legal uncertainty or corruption are reduced.

For people in candidate countries (like Ukraine, Moldova, or the Western Balkans):

• Stricter conditions for EU membership: These countries must meet the same high standards on democracy, rule of law, and human rights before joining the EU. This could delay or accelerate their accession, depending on their progress.