The EU’s rule of law credentials over the past few years have revealed an alarming deficit that threatens the very foundations of European integration. To a casual observer, some of these shortcomings may come as a surprise – after all, the need to safeguard the rule of law has become a recurring theme in the EU institutions. However, implementation often lags, not only due to widespread backsliding among the EU27 and the rise of far-right movements but also due to the European Commission’s concerning reluctance to rigorously enforce compliance. This is especially true for the EU Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (AFSJ), which includes policy areas such as migration, asylum, borders (Schengen), criminal justice and law enforcement cooperation.
Looking ahead to 2030, a new rule of law agenda is absolutely essential. Without a genuinely robust framework to uphold the rule of law and the interdependent principles of democracy and fundamental rights, the EU risks becoming a hollowed-out institution, vulnerable to the very forces it was established to counteract.
This CEPS contribution is part of a special series ‘The EU’s path to 2030’, where each of our research units were invited to provide insights on key policy files, offering guidance and recommendations for policymakers throughout the course of the new mandate up until 2030 (and sometimes beyond). Find other contributions to this series here.
