The EU’s 2024 Rule of Law report was published on Wednesday (24 July) and presents both a synthesis of both the rule of law situation in the EU and an assessment of the situation in each Member State and enlargement countries.
The Report examines developments across all Member States in regard to four key areas: the justice system, the anti-corruption framework, media pluralism and freedom, and other institutional issues related to checks and balances. There are chapters for each of the 27 Member States which consist of the results from a qualitative assessment carried out by the Commission.
Changes are examined from the 2023 report to show progress, provide new recommendations to guide ongoing reforms and identify areas needing improvement. The 2024 report has added chapters for the following four enlargement countries: Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The inclusion aims to provide support reforms in democracy and the rule of law ahead of their EU accession.
The report consists of dialogue with national authorities and consultations with various stakeholders across the EU and upholds a political responsibility for its assessments and recommendations. All Member States were also invited to provide any information on significant developments since the adoption of the 2023 report. The Council of Europe contributed by providing an overview of its recent opinions and reports.
Von der Leyen’s political guidelines for the 2024-2029 European Commission emphasise the rule of law as central to the EU’s success. In the report, Von der Leyen states, “A Europe that protects must also stand up for justice and for values. Nowhere is this more important than when it comes to the respect of the rule of law.”
The Rule of Law report will drive this work forward, embracing issues such as the Single Market dimension and highlighting recommendations and funding under the EU budget.
The EU’s 2024 Rule of Law report highlights the progress and challenges within Member States and enlargement countries in key areas such as justice, media and freedom. By including new recommendations and examining recent developments, the report aims to support ongoing reforms and democratic progress. The report aligns with von der Leyen’s political priorities, highlighting how the rule of law is essential to the EU’s success.
