The text, adopted in plenary with 387 votes in favour, 191 against and 46 abstentions on Wednesday, examines the Commission’s 2025 Rule of Law Report taking stock of developments across member states and in the Union’s institutions.

Parliament stresses that 93% of Commission recommendations are repeated from prior years. Judicial independence, anti-corruption frameworks, media freedom, civic space, equality, and checks and balances remain at risk, while annual monitoring still under-reports serious structural threats. These failures directly harm citizens’ access to justice, protection against discrimination, freedom of expression, information access, democratic participation, and proper use of public money.

Justice concerns

MEPs warn against excessive political influence over judicial appointments, disciplinary panels, promotions, and case allocation. They call on member states to guarantee structurally independent, efficient and impartial justice systems, with adequate…