Concerted dismantling and cumulative decline sum up the state of the rule of law across large parts of the EU and increasingly within the European Institutions themselves. Strong action by both the EU and Member States is required to reverse the trend and re-establish a commitment to the rule of law.

These are the findings of the 2026 Liberties Rule of Law Report. The report, now in its seventh iteration, is the most comprehensive civil society assessment across all four pillars of the European Commission’s Rule of Law Report: the functioning of justice systems, anti-corruption, media freedom and checks and balances, with a particular emphasis on civic space. Researched by nearly 40 human rights organisations across the EU, it provides an independent analysis of the systemic challenges that continue to threaten the rule of law in Member States and within the EU institutions. This year’s analysis underscores a decline, both in the constituent elements of the rule of law and in the overall support and understanding that a rules-based framework is critical and worth defending. The rapid steps to undermine the rule of law in the United States has shown how fast systems can be dismantled, and globally double standards and fragility have been exposed. The EU must decide whether to allow a continued slide in a negative direction, or offer a renewed vision of how the rule of law underpins Europe’s strength, values and competitiveness.

Against this backdrop, there is little sign that the preventive aim of the European Commission’s Rule of Law Cycle is achieving its intended impact within a foreseeable timeframe. The steady backsliding, and in some cases rapid decline, clearly shows that without a more consequential approach, the trend will continue. Despite consistent advocacy from civil society and anticipation of a renewed approach under the 2024-2029 Commission, there is no clear evidence that the current 2026 cycle will offer a more incisive and effective approach, yet the environment has only become more challenging.

2026 Liberties Rule Of Law Report