Democratic standards in the European Union are eroding in several member countries, particularly in Hungary and Poland where judicial independence is under threat, the EU’s executive commission said Tuesday in its annual report on adherence to the rule of law.
The report also singled out Slovenia, which recently took over the six-month rotating presidency of the European Council, for attacks against the Balkan nation’s media.
“There are causes for serious concern in a number of member states, especially when it comes to the independence of judiciary,” said Vera Jourova, the Commission vice-president for Values and Transparency.
The review, which is in its second year, was published a week after the EU’s top court ruled that Poland’s way of disciplining high judges contravenes EU law and undermines judicial independence, telling the country’s right-wing government to change it. The European Commission has also started legal action against Poland and Hungary for what the EU’s executive arm sees as blatant disrespect for the rights of LGBT people. The wide-ranging audit found Poland deficient in the four main areas reviewed: national justice systems, anti-corruption frameworks, media freedom and checks and balances.
According to the EU’s executive arm, reforms of the Polish justice system carried out over the past six years continue to increase the influence of the government over the justice system, damaging judicial independence.
The report also pointed out a risk of “undue influence on corruption prosecutions for political purposes” and noted a deterioration of working conditions for journalists, “with use of intimidating judicial proceedings.”
Hungary was criticized for its perceived inadequate anti-corruption measures and the report noted that media pluralism “remains at risk.” The report depicted a bleak media situation in Slovenia, reporting online harassment and threats against journalists.