Justice & Home Affairs
The EU and the rule of law paradox
What has emerged in the last few years in the EU is a political rule of law. This rule of law-political is an instrument of political pressure that should not be confused with the real thing, writes György Schöpflin.
The Brief – Europe’s terror redux
Five years have passed since the devastating terrorist attacks in Paris killed 130 people, but many attacks have followed since then, including those in Nice and Vienna in the past month. Even in the midst of a pandemic, Europe, it...
The demise of Golden Dawn: A victory for democracy and the rule of law
Since the high point of the 2014 European Parliament, the far-right Golden Dawn has collapsed. Its demise is a victory for democracy and rule of law, writes professor Aristides Hatzis.
EU governments’ upcoming rule of law peer review: better get off on the right foot
After years of tiptoeing around the issue, EU governments are finally set to check on each other's records on the rule of law. This is a significant step forward, but governments have to take this broad dialogue seriously and talks must lead to action, argues Linda Ravo, an expert adviser at the Civil Liberties Union for Europe.
The Brief, powered by Martens Centre – A classic of its kind
As compromises go, the deal brokered between MEPs on linking the disbursement of EU funds to the rule of law back is a classic of the kind that Brussels specializes in.
The Brief, powered by Martens Centre – Killing them softly
Since 2015, 335 journalists have been killed across the globe, nine of them in Europe, and this figure does not include citizens journalists, and media assistants. In nine out of ten cases, the killers go unpunished. A further 247 journalists are currently behind bars.
An open society should be defined by open debate, not smears
ADF is a faith-based legal advocacy organization that protects fundamental freedoms and promotes the inherent dignity of all people. We receive funds from private donors who believe in our vision but there is nothing 'dark' about our money, writes Lois McClatchie.
A warning to the guardians
The European Commission, as the guardian of the Treaties, is responsible for ensuring that member states duly implement EU law. If a country fails to comply, the Commission may launch a lengthy infringement procedure. András Kristóf Kádár takes a look at how this has been applied to Hungary.
A new view on Rule of Law and Democracy can bridge EU’s East-West divide
Taking a comprehensive approach to democracy that encompasses all aspects of democracy, rule of law and human rights would bridge the growing east-west divide, argues Sam van der Staak.
Rule of law warriors are not promoting European values, they’re pushing a political agenda
The idea of a rule of law mechanism in the EU is hopelessly half-baked. Rule of law warriors are unable to define or measure what they mean, they are simply waging an ideological battle, argues Zoltán Kovács.
The Brief, powered by ECPC – When words become deeds
Europe has to break the social networks' hatred-based economic model, it has to implement efficient regulations that can dry up the revenue flows generated by the dissemination of hatred on the Internet. The savage assassination of Samuel Paty, who died for exercising his profession as a teacher, shows the extreme urgency of taking effective action. It shows words can become deeds.
The nature of power in an illiberal system
Viktor Orbán’s illiberal state uses democracy and the rule of law as decors of a system which contains no real limitation to the exercise of power. In order to assess the situation of the rule of law in such systems, we must examine the effective functioning of institutions in place, writes Anna Donáth.
The Brief, powered by logos – Have ID, can’t travel
“My policy is to be able to take a ticket at Victoria station and go anywhere I damn well please!” So said Britain’s post-war Foreign Secretary Ernie Bevin in 1951. Bevin, though not a Europhile, might well have been talking about freedom of movement across Europe, a cherished freedom currently on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Brief, powered by CEN-CENELEC – The triumph of the jargon
Last night the European Parliament delegation walked out of talks on the EU budget. Although the main dispute is over MEPs’ demands for extra cash for some projects, lawmakers and some EU governments also insist that there must be a strong link between the rule of law and the disbursement of EU funds.
Unbalanced politics leads to unchecked power
Europeans are doing well not to look down upon the democratic backsliding in the US too much. The mix is different, but all the elements are here as well. Here too, the interplay between governments and courts is all skewed, writes Sophie in 't Veld.
Brace for a landmark debate – not only for Bulgaria, but for the EU
On Monday (5 October), the European Parliament will discuss in plenary the Rule of Law in Bulgaria. It may look like an event important mostly for the Bulgarians, but in fact it has a lot of incidence on the EU, writes Radan Kanev
Understanding the new pact on Migration and Asylum as an opportunity
Few topics have divided Europe as much in recent years as migration and asylum. The New Pact on Migration and Asylum puts migration back on the EU agenda, writes Michael Spindelegger.
The Brief – Rule of law proxy war
The European Commission's rule of law assessment could increase the drive to tie the distribution of EU funds with adherence to rule of law. Yet under the surface of that discussion, a sinister storm is brewing that could threaten the EU's coronavirus recovery hopes.
Corruption puts the future of the European Union at risk
Protests against government corruption have been rocking Bulgaria since August. MEP Daniel Freund, who was in Sofia last week to meet with protesters, shares his impressions.
The Brief, powered by ESA – A dose of reality on migration, or kicking the can
The EU migration pact announced on Wednesday (24 September) may not be remotely close to the “entirely new architecture” promised by the von der Leyen Commission but at least it offered a dose of reality. Altruism, or that much abused...
Towards a balanced EU migration policy
When it comes to migration, there should be tangible solidarity in the EU. However, Poland cannot accept the paradigm according to which solidarity is based on obligatory measures, including relocation, writes Andrzej Sadoś.
Free the ‘prisoners’ of Moria now!
Europeans frightened by migration must be shown concretely that their security will not be at risk if reasonable programmes are implemented with the direct help of organised civil society, writes Marco Impagliazzo.
COVID-19: Time to show citizens that they can count on Europe
European citizens have been exemplary in their fight against COVID 19. They have bravely overcome an acute sanitary threat and paid the high economic, social and psychological price of the lockdown, write a group of European lawmakers.