Governments in five European Union member states actively and deliberately undermine the rule of law, while democratic standards slip in six additional countries, including several longstanding democracies. A detailed analysis based on insights from over 40 nongovernmental organizations across 22 nations identifies Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, and Slovakia as key offenders weakening justice systems, anti-corruption measures, media freedom, and civil society oversight.
Deepening Backsliding in Key Countries
In Slovakia, the rule of law declines across all major areas under the current populist administration led by Robert Fico, which aligns closely with Moscow. Bulgaria faces a similarly grim outlook. Hungary stands out under Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule, which persists despite upcoming elections on April 12, with ongoing regressive policies showing no reversal. These nations pursue intentional strategies to dismantle institutional safeguards.
Slipping Standards in Strong Democracies
Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, and Sweden—traditionally robust democracies—emerge as “sliders,” experiencing declines in specific rule-of-law domains without a coordinated political agenda driving the erosion.
Stagnation and Rare Progress
The Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Ireland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, and Poland register as “stagnators,” where conditions remain stable without advancement or further deterioration. In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk works to rebuild judicial independence dismantled by the prior Law and Justice government, but faces presidential vetoes. This limited headway underscores the fragility of restoring compromised institutions.
Only Latvia earns recognition as a “hard worker,” with proactive steps to strengthen rule-of-law protections.
EU Mechanisms Fall Short
European Union tools to combat rule-of-law erosion prove largely ineffective, as most member states ignore repeated recommendations from the European Commission. Of the 100 recommendations reviewed from the 2025 report, 93% repeat prior years’ advice—often verbatim—with new ones halved since 2024. Sixty-one show no progress, and 13 worsen.
“The commission’s report aimed to spur concrete action,” stated Ilina Neshikj, executive director of the Civil Liberties Union for Europe. After seven annual cycles, findings reveal not just backsliding but deliberate undermining. “Repeating recommendations without follow-up fails to reverse this trend,” she added.
Institutional Shortcomings and Key Pillars
EU bodies in 2025 mirrored member-state issues, inconsistently upholding fundamental rights. They normalized fast-track legislation, weakened protections, and targeted oversight groups, eroding overall credibility, according to Kersty McCourt, senior advocacy adviser.
Checks and balances deteriorated most sharply, with civil society facing curbs. Regressive laws impose harsh penalties for protests, including bans on Hungary’s Pride events and investigations of organizers like Budapest’s mayor. Italy’s security decree criminalizes dissent like road blockades while bolstering police powers. Climate and pro-Palestine activists encounter bans across multiple states.
Justice systems lag, marked by hostile rhetoric against courts and rights bodies. Anti-corruption efforts stall, and media freedom advances minimally. Journalist attacks rise sharply in Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, the Netherlands, and especially Slovakia.
