EU rule-of-law report lacks real action, warns human rights watchdog

The European Commission’s 2026 rule-of-law report, presented on Friday in July, shows continued positive progress across many member states, according to Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. She said the report has become a reference point helping to shape national debates and drive reforms. However, the Berlin-based NGO Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties) has challenged this assessment. In its Gap analysis report published on Monday 12 October, the group found that only four percent of the July report’s recommendations had been fully implemented, while 54 percent showed limited to no progress.

Implementation gap undermines effectiveness

Liberties’ rule of law expert Kersty McCourt warned that the report’s potential as one of the EU’s strongest tools for preventing democratic backsliding is being undermined. “When recommendations are repeatedly issued without being implemented, and new threats are not identified early enough, the system loses its power,” McCourt said. The NGO noted that almost all recommendations issued in 2026 were regurgitations of previous years, with only seven new recommendations introduced. The Commission’s annual report “fails to unpack why some problems remain so entrenched,” Liberties said. The slow movement was attributed to a lack of willingness from member states, a vacuum in EU enforcement mechanisms, and issues so entrenched that progress is effectively impossible.

Liberties also pointed out that the report’s function as a warning system for early signs of democratic backsliding has been reduced, as recommendations on emerging issues remain unaddressed. Even when formally adopted, recommendations often do not translate into effective implementation. The NGO said this is particularly evident in Nordic countries, which are exempt from scrutiny due to their traditionally strong reputations.