RULE OF LAW Rule of Law Report 2023: Progress on 65% of recommendations, but further action needed European Commission

The Commission has today 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, fully or partially, addressed. This shows that important efforts are ongoing in Member States to follow up on the previous year's recommendations.  Given that reforms to improve the rule of law framework take time, this reflects a significant development over only one year. At the same time, systemic concerns remain in some Member States.

Today's package includes a Communication examining the situation in the EU as a whole and 27 country chapters looking at significant developments in every Member State since July 2022. The report includes an assessment of last year's recommendations and provides again specific recommendations to Member States.

The report covers four pillars: national justice systems, anti-corruption frameworks, media pluralism and other institutional checks-and balances.