Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

Change 33

AddedEXPLANATORY STATEMENT

AddedThe founding values of our Union - democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights - cannot be taken for granted. They form the very pre-condition for our freedom, safety and prosperity. That is why they merit our defence every day.

AddedWe see that these values are under increasing pressure in our Union. In some Member States, citizens can no longer count on an independent judiciary, free and fair elections, and the protection of their rights. Other Member States’ governments are on a similar path, slowly but steadily eroding institutional checks and balances. Independent journalists and minorities are always the first to suffer.

AddedAction needs to start from an independent and comprehensive monitoring of the situation. Following the Parliament’s 2016 proposal for the “Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Pact”, the Commission launched its first annual Rule of Law report in 2020. The Parliament welcomes this monitoring work of the Commission. It however also finds that the Commission is not painting a full and candid picture of the situation. Independent NGOs, academics, watchdogs and journalists often find the situation on the ground to diverge substantially from the Commission’s overly diplomatic language.

AddedThis report of the European Parliament aims to cover a wide range of concerns, without shying away from mentioning specific situations and Member States. That is awkward sometimes, but it must be done if we are to tackle the problems head-on. It is also necessary if we are to have a meaningful dialogue with the other EU institutions and with Member States’ governments and parliaments. We can learn from each other. The EU is fortunately still a place where so many citizens and authorities care for democracy, the Rule of Law and fundamental rights. We need to have an open conversation and get out of our institutional trenches.

AddedThe next step also needs to be enforcement. The findings of this report cannot be without consequences. For this, all options should be on the table: infringement procedures, funding conditionality, and the Article 7 TEU procedures. Unfortunately, the application of EU law has never been so lacklustre and needs an urgent and substantial boost. This report calls on the Commission to step up its game and fully play its role as Guardian of the Treaties. Without it, we are in a lawless zone, where some are more equal than others. That would be the very end of our Union based on the Rule of Law.