Five EU Nations Accused of Undermining Rule of Law by Rights Watchdogs.

Liberties Report Exposes Rule of Law Crisis Across the EU

According to TSN.ua: A new 2026 report from the European rights group Liberties has accused the governments of five EU member states of eroding legal standards. The findings, compiled from data provided by over 40 non-governmental organizations, highlight serious shortcomings in the region’s adherence to legal norms.

How EU Countries Measure Up on Rule of Law

Slovakia, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, experienced the most significant decline in rule-of-law performance. Hungary, under Viktor Orbán—who has held power for 16 years—also continues to show negative trends. Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, and Sweden were labeled as 'backsliders,' indicating instability in upholding legal principles.

Meanwhile, the report classifies Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Ireland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania, and Spain as 'stagnators,' meaning they have made no progress on rule-of-law issues. In Poland, Donald Tusk’s government is working to restore institutional independence, signaling efforts to return to democratic standards. Latvia stands out as the only country showing improvement in rule-of-law benchmarks, offering a potential model for others.

This report underscores the serious challenges EU countries face in maintaining the rule of law.

In conclusion, the Liberties report emphasizes the urgent need for reforms to address the rule-of-law crisis across the European Union. These results could fuel further debate and action at the EU level, as human rights and legal integrity are core principles of the Union. It is critical that countries experiencing regression take steps to rebuild trust in their legal systems and safeguard citizens’ rights.