Assessing the State of Rule of Law in the European Union: Diagnosis or Autopsy?

Speakers

• Petra Bárd, Visiting Professor, Central European University
• Joachim Herrmann, Member of the Cabinet of Commissioner Didier Reynders
• Laurent Pech, Professor of European Law, Middlesex University London
• Radosveta Vassileva, PhD in Law, University College London
• Anna Wójcik, Co-Founder and Editor, Rule of Law in Poland

Moderation

• Daniel Hegedüs, Fellow for Central Europe, German Marshall Fund of the United States

The rule of law is a cornerstone of liberal democracy and a founding value of the European Union. However, the past decade has seen serious democratic backsliding and attacks on the rule of law in a number of EU member states, with significant repercussions.

This rule of law crisis questions the general applicability of EU law, undermines mutual trust among member states, and weakens the legitimacy of the EU, at home no less than in its foreign policy that is to speak up in defense of democracy and human rights globally.

At the end of September, the European Commission will publish its first ever comprehensive monitoring report on the state of the rule of law in all EU member states.

How do EU member states compare when it comes to the rule of law? How did the Commission assess the quality of the rule of law, free media and anti-corruption frameworks in countries like Bulgaria, Hungary and Poland? How solid and consequential is the Commission’s assessment? And how may its findings influence ongoing Article 7 procedures and the distribution of EU funds?

The German Marshall Fund of the United States is pleased to invite you to its online event that examines the above and other questions on the rule of law in the EU.