A new report by the Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties) has found that democracy and the rule of law remain in decline across large parts of the European Union, with some countries actively undermining key democratic institutions.
The “Liberties Rule of Law Report 2026,” compiled in collaboration with nearly 40 rights organizations from 22 EU countries, highlights persistent failures by governments to implement recommendations issued by the European Commission.
According to the report, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, and Slovakia have been categorized as “Dismantlers” — countries that are actively eroding rule-of-law systems. In most cases, there has been little to no improvement compared to previous years.
The report singles out Viktor Orbán’s government in Hungary as particularly concerning, noting a continued pattern of regressive laws and policies ahead of upcoming elections. Meanwhile, in Slovakia under Robert Fico, the report identifies a shift from gradual decline to what it describes as “structural deconstruction” of democratic checks and balances.
A further ten EU countries — including the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Ireland, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, and Spain — were labeled “Stagnators,” showing no meaningful progress in addressing rule-of-law concerns. Latvia was the only country classified as a “Hard Worker.”
The report also underscores a growing implementation gap. An overwhelming 93 percent of the European Commission’s 2025 recommendations were repeats from previous years, indicating persistent inaction. Of the recommendations analyzed, 61 percent showed no progress, 13 percent reflected further regression, and none were fully implemented.
Liberties further warns that challenges to the rule of law are not limited to individual member states. It argues that EU institutions themselves have contributed to the problem by increasingly relying on fast-track legislative procedures, weakening protections for fundamental rights, and putting pressure on civil society organizations.
“The overarching finding remains consistent: democracy is still in decline, and member states are not compelled to act on the Commission’s recommendations,” the report concludes.
