Justice reforms have slowed for the second year in a row
EU countries made fewer than half of the changes Brussels asked for to fight corruption and uphold democracy, the lowest level since 2022, according to the EU’s annual Rule of Law report.
The new report, published on Friday, examines national justice systems, media freedom and checks on government power. It covers all EU countries and some countries hoping to join the bloc.
Just 47% of the recommendations made in 2025 were fully or partially implemented, down from 57% a year earlier. The rate stood at 68% in 2024 and 65% in 2023, meaning implementation has now slowed for a second year running.
Henna Virkkunen, the Commission’s vice-president for democracy, rejected the suggestion that the annual exercise was losing value, calling 47% in one year “quite a speedy process” and arguing that electoral cycles and lengthy parliamentary procedures can delay reforms.
