Ah, the European Commission's Rule of Law Report 2025—fresh off the press, with all the ceremonial optimism of a Eurovision opener and all the actual teeth of a gummy bear. Six years into this grand annual exercise in “please behave,” and we’re once again reminded that democracy is like your grandma’s antique teacups: fragile, cracked in some places, and if you drop it—well, good luck gluing that back together with statements, summits, and strongly-worded recommendations.
Let’s not be rude, though. The Commission did put in the effort. They produced another hefty report filled with words like “dialogue,” “resilience,” and “institutional capacity,” which are basically Brussels-speak for “we’re trying, okay?” And while some countries are apparently climbing the reform ladder, others are still hanging from the bottom rung with both hands tied behind their backs—possibly by their own governments.
But let’s dive in. What does this report tell us about the state of law, order, and general governance hygiene in the EU and the wannabe EU club?
The Rule of Law: Not Just a Bumper Sticker
According to the report, the rule of law is essential for Europe’s democracy, security, and economy. You don’t say. Who knew that following laws, respecting courts, and not treating public institutions like your personal fiefdom were important for keeping a society from devolving into medieval chaos?
The Commission, bless their technocratic hearts, is clear that the rule of law isn't just a quaint ideal—it’s a business necessity. Because nothing says “stable economic environment” like courts that function, public contracts that aren’t sold to the Prime Minister’s cousin, and media that aren’t owned by oligarchs whose best friends play golf with Interior Ministers.
Yet despite this obvious logic, we still have countries treating the rule of law like that one IKEA shelf they never got around to assembling. Sure, they have all the pieces. The instructions are right there. But somehow, it's still crooked, missing screws, and held together with chewing gum and duct tape.
Justice Systems: The Good, the Bad, and the Politicized
Let’s start with justice systems. The report cheerfully notes that many Member States have advanced judicial reforms. The word many, however, is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.
Some countries have made progress strengthening judicial independence, improving efficiency, and safeguarding appointments. That’s code for: we’re trying to make sure judges don’t get fired for convicting corrupt politicians.
But don’t get too excited. The report diplomatically mentions that “reforms are progressing at a slower pace in some Member States.” Translation: we’re still waiting on Hungary and Poland to stop treating judges like interns with attitude problems. And in the enlargement countries? Reforms are like New Year’s resolutions. Everyone promises to hit the gym, but somehow, the only thing getting stronger is the influence of the ruling party.
Anti-Corruption: More Strategy, Less Sentencing
Moving on to anti-corruption. This section reads like the script for a dark comedy. The EU says that anti-corruption efforts are “essential for maintaining the rule of law and preserving citizens’ trust in public institutions.” Oh, honey. If trust were measured in coffee spoons, half of Europe’s citizens are sipping straight from a cracked mug.
Sure, there are new strategies, more resources, and increased institutional capacity. Fancy! But don’t let the bureaucratic bedazzling distract you—high-level convictions are still as rare as a punctual Ryanair flight during a thunderstorm.
Lobbying, conflicts of interest, opaque procurement deals… these are less “problems to fix” and more like local customs in some countries. And in the Balkans, anti-corruption agencies often look like cardboard cutouts: impressive from a distance, utterly hollow up close.
Media Freedom and Pluralism: Still Not a Safe Job
Let’s talk about media freedom, because nothing says “European values” quite like journalists getting harassed, surveilled, or accidentally bankrupted for asking who paid for the Health Minister’s third yacht.
The Commission is delighted that Member States are aligning their laws with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), strengthening public service media, and protecting journalists. Which is great. But also: journalists are still getting threatened, sued into silence, or poisoned with tea in some corners of the continent.
Reforms are supposedly improving fairness in state advertising and increasing transparency in media ownership. Unless, of course, that ownership structure leads you right back to a politician’s nephew’s holding company in Cyprus. It’s a bit like a Russian nesting doll—but instead of babushkas, it’s shell companies.
Meanwhile, some Member States still treat public service media as government megaphones. In enlargement countries, the report delicately notes the "politicisation of media regulators." That’s polite Brussels code for: your press freedom is being strangled with a velvet glove.
Institutional Checks and Balances: The Seesaw Is Broken
On to checks and balances, which in theory ensure that power isn’t hoarded like toilet paper in a pandemic. In practice, though, they’re a bit wobbly.
Yes, some countries are including stakeholders in the legislative process and improving laws. That’s nice. But others are pumping out new legislation faster than a toddler on a sugar high—without input, without debate, and often with all the clarity of a Kafka novel.
The report praises countries with vibrant civil societies but warns that in others, NGOs are getting suffocated with “funding restrictions” and “registration barriers.” In plain English: we’re being polite, but you’re basically outlawing dissent.
And let’s spare a moment for ombudspersons—the bureaucratic unicorns of EU democracy. Supposed to be impartial watchdogs, they’re often reduced to barking into the void while governments hit “mark as read” on their reports.
The Single Market: Business Can’t Boom in a Banana Republic
Here's where the Commission slips on its corporate suit and reminds us that a broken rule of law isn’t just a democracy problem—it’s a bottom-line problem.
Investors don’t like unpredictability. Neither do small and medium-sized businesses, who apparently want to operate in countries where contracts are honored, regulations don’t change weekly, and they don’t need to bribe a building inspector to install a fire exit.
The report makes a compelling economic case for good governance, linking everything from media transparency to court efficiency to the health of the Single Market. Because yes—you can’t build a functioning market economy on a swamp of corruption, cronyism, and Kafkaesque court delays.
But here's the kicker: the EU keeps handing out subsidies and structural funds even to countries that treat rule-of-law compliance like a casual suggestion. Brussels loves a “constructive dialogue,” even when it’s just one side saying “we’ll fix it” while cashing the check.
Enlargement Countries: Europe’s Waiting Room of Eternal Reform
Let’s not forget the four enlargement countries included in this report: Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. These nations are theoretically sprinting toward EU standards. In practice? It’s more like jogging in place while pretending to stretch.
The report commends improvements in judiciary independence and anti-corruption frameworks but warns that undue political influence still looms large. Shocking. Who would’ve guessed that countries with decades of kleptocratic traditions might struggle with impartial courts?
Media regulators? Politicized. Public broadcasters? Underfunded and over-controlled. Journalist safety? “Concerns remain.” Translation: Europe would like to see less thug intimidation and more actual enforcement of media protections.
But don’t worry—Brussels is here to help. With polite recommendations. And annual reports. And maybe a funding bonus if you promise, pinky swear, to behave.
The Commission’s Plan: More Reports, Please
So what’s next? The Commission is calling on Member States to “address the challenges identified in the Report.” Which is European for: do your homework or we’ll send another email reminder.
There’s also talk of tracking recommendation implementation, strengthening the rule-of-law cycle, and expanding the inclusion of accession countries. Because nothing says progress like monitoring the same systemic problems year after year, with slightly better graphics in the PowerPoint presentation.
Let’s be clear: the Rule of Law Report is a noble, necessary, and tragically underpowered tool. It shines a light. It collects data. It calls out nonsense (albeit politely). But as long as the worst offenders suffer no real consequences, it’s the governance equivalent of sending a naughty child a glitter-covered “Please Stop” card.
The Real Problem: No Consequences, No Change
You can’t talk about the rule of law in Europe without mentioning the giant elephant holding an Article 7 flag. That’s right—Hungary and Poland, long-time suspects in the case of “Where Did Our Democracy Go?”
Both have spent years undermining judicial independence, silencing critics, and rewriting laws to benefit the ruling party. And yet, EU funds keep flowing like wine at a Strasbourg gala.
Why? Because actual enforcement mechanisms, like Article 7, require unanimity—meaning a single rogue state can protect another. It’s the world’s worst secret society: corrupt enough to shield its own, but still organized enough to RSVP to Commission briefings.
Until the EU grows some actual enforcement muscles—or until Member States stop electing strongmen with a fetish for illiberal democracy—the rule of law will remain a principle mostly enforced through blog posts, not policies.
Final Thoughts: More Than a Buzzword
The 2025 Rule of Law Report tells a compelling story. It’s a tale of countries trying, failing, improving, regressing, and in some cases just outright ignoring everything the EU says.
But here's the real takeaway: the rule of law isn’t an EU accessory—it’s the core of the whole project. Without it, the Single Market collapses into chaos, democracy becomes a performance, and citizens lose faith in every institution not run by Netflix.
So yes, let’s read the reports. Let’s celebrate the progress. But let’s also demand more than annual evaluations and “deep concern.” Let’s see real action. Because Europe deserves more than polite frustration—it deserves a rule of law that bites back.