Theme · EU initiative
Rule of law in EU
Recurring EU debate over threats to the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights in member states.
9 subjects in 8 sittings · 9 adopted, 0 rejected · Dec 2024 – May 2026
Resolutions 8Other 1
A theme is a story Parliament keeps returning to — a war, a crisis, one country, an agreement — found by reading the decisions. Topics are the fixed policy fields every decision is sorted into; themes cut across them. All themes →
Latest decisions
- Rule of law, fundamental rights and misuse of EU funds in Slovakia: the need for an EU response
Written by an AI from the text voted on. The outcome and the numbers come from Parliament’s official record. Parliament adopted a resolution on the rule of law, fundamental rights and misuse of EU funds in Slovakia, calling for an EU response. The resolution expresses serious concerns about criminal law reforms, pressure on judiciary and media, and weaknesses in EU fund management in Slovakia. It asks the EU institutions to address these issues, including through the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation.
20 May 2026 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 40 ballots · voted 13:45 · B-10-2026-0245 · 2026/2607
Adopted 347–165–25 · by a large majority - Situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2024 and 2025
Written by an AI from the text voted on. The outcome and the numbers come from Parliament’s official record. Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation of fundamental rights in the EU in 2024 and 2025, covering threats to the rule of law, civic space, hate speech, and rights of women and LGBTIQ+ people. The resolution calls for action to uphold EU values, protect democracy, address rights violations at borders, combat gender-based violence, support civil society, and fight discrimination. It also highlights risks from digital change and artificial intelligence, and stresses the need to renew democratic foundations and strengthen citizens' participation.
29 Apr 2026 · Resolutions · report by Anna Strolenberg · 125 ballots · voted 14:32 · A-10-2026-0042 · 2025/2135
Adopted 328–199–98 · by a clear majority - The Commission’s 2025 Rule of Law report
Written by an AI from the text voted on. The outcome and the numbers come from Parliament’s official record. Parliament adopted its resolution on the Commission's 2025 Rule of Law report, setting out its position on the state of rule of law in the EU. The resolution calls for strengthening the Commission's reporting, protecting journalists and civil society, and ensuring EU funds do not facilitate rights violations. It also urges EU institutions to respect rule of law obligations and to address socio-economic inequalities and racism as part of the rule of law agenda.
EU institutions & ParliamentJustice, rule of law & rights
29 Apr 2026 · Resolutions · report by Konstantinos Arvanitis · 32 ballots · voted 14:53 · A-10-2026-0091 · 2025/2239
Adopted 387–191–46 · by a large majority - Extension of the term of office of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield
EU institutions & ParliamentJustice, rule of law & rights
28 Apr 2026 · Other · voted 13:08
Adopted 422–202–9 · by a large majority - Attempted takeover of Lithuania’s public broadcaster and the threat to democracy in Lithuania
Written by an AI from the text voted on. The outcome and the numbers come from Parliament’s official record. Parliament adopted a resolution on the attempted takeover of Lithuania's public broadcaster and the threat to democracy in Lithuania. The text expresses concern about amendments to the LRT Law that ease dismissal of the director general and freeze the broadcaster's budget, saying they breach EU media freedom rules. Parliament calls on Lithuanian authorities to reject the pending changes, ensure stable funding, and asks the Commission to monitor compliance and use all tools if needed.
Digital, AI & dataJustice, rule of law & rights
22 Jan 2026 · Resolutions · joint motion · 44 ballots · voted 12:15 · RC-10-2026-0070 · 2026/2568
Adopted 385–165–35 · by a large majority - Implementation of the rule of law conditionality regime
Written by an AI from the text voted on. The outcome and the numbers come from Parliament’s official record. Parliament adopted a resolution on the implementation of the rule of law conditionality regime, which protects the EU budget from breaches of the rule of law in member states. The text assesses the application of the mechanism since 2021, focusing on transparency, scope, guidelines, deterrence, and Parliament's scrutiny role. The resolution was adopted as Parliament's official position, with a large majority.
EU institutions & ParliamentJustice, rule of law & rightsEU budget & funds
18 Dec 2025 · Resolutions · report by Jean-Marc Germain, Monika Hohlmeier · 26 ballots · voted 12:09 · A-10-2025-0240 · 2025/2061
Adopted 386–184–15 · by a large majority - Existence of a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the Union is founded
Written by an AI from the text voted on. The outcome and the numbers come from Parliament’s official record. Parliament adopted a resolution stating that Hungary poses a clear risk of seriously breaching the EU's founding values, including democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights. The text updates Parliament's earlier findings and lists twelve problem areas, such as judicial independence, corruption, media freedom, and minority rights. Parliament calls on the Council to act on its Article 7(1) procedure and urges the Commission to use all available tools to address the situation.
25 Nov 2025 · Resolutions · report by Tineke Strik · 43 ballots · voted 12:31 · A-10-2025-0231 · 2018/0902R
Adopted 415–193–28 · by a large majority - The Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law report
Written by an AI from the text voted on. The outcome and the numbers come from Parliament’s official record. Parliament adopted a resolution on the Commission's 2024 Rule of Law Report, which assesses the rule of law situation in EU member states. The resolution calls for protecting media freedom, civil society, judicial independence, and fundamental rights, including sexual and reproductive rights. It also urges the Commission to act as guardian of the treaties and defend democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights across the Union.
18 Jun 2025 · Resolutions · report by Ana Catarina Mendes · 50 ballots · voted 13:17 · A-10-2025-0100 · 2024/2078
Adopted 405–210–36 · by a large majority - Setting up a Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield, and defining its responsibilities, numerical strength and term of office
Written by an AI from the text voted on. The outcome and the numbers come from Parliament’s official record. Parliament set up a special committee on the European Democracy Shield to counter foreign interference, disinformation and threats to democracy in the EU. The committee will examine gaps in EU law and policy, and propose measures to protect democratic processes and citizens from such attacks. It will work with other parliamentary committees and may make recommendations for future action.
EU institutions & ParliamentDefence & securityJustice, rule of law & rights
18 Dec 2024 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 7 ballots · voted 12:15 · B-10-2024-0216 · 2024/2999
Adopted 441–178–34 · by a large majority
Dossiers involved · latest vote first
- 2026/2607 Rule of law, fundamental rights and misuse of EU funds in Slovakia: the need for an EU response 20 May 2026 · 1 vote
- 2025/2135 Situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2024 and 2025 29 Apr 2026 · 1 vote
- 2025/2239 The Commission’s 2025 Rule of Law report 29 Apr 2026 · 1 vote
- 2026/2568 Attempted takeover of Lithuania’s public broadcaster and the threat to democracy in Lithuania 22 Jan 2026 · 1 vote
- 2025/2061 Implementation of the rule of law conditionality regime 18 Dec 2025 · 1 vote
- 2018/0902R Existence of a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the Union is founded 25 Nov 2025 · 1 vote
- 2024/2078 The Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law report 18 Jun 2025 · 1 vote
- 2024/2999 Setting up a Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield, and defining its responsibilities, numerical strength and term of office 18 Dec 2024 · 1 vote
Who backs what
How each group's majority voted on the 9 most recent final A vote in which every MEP’s individual position is recorded and published. votes about Rule of law in EU.
With the result = share of these votes where the group's position matched the outcome (For an adopted text, Against a rejected one). The other columns count the votes by the group's position; Split = no position had a majority among its members. Non-attached members have no group line.
| Group | With the result | For | Against | Abstained | Split |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left · democratic socialism, communism. Founded 1995 (as GUE; “The Left” since 2021) | 89 % | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Centre-left · green politics, regionalism. Founded 1999 | 100 % | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Centre-left · social democracy. Founded 1953 (as Socialist Group; S&D since 2009) | 100 % | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Centre · liberalism, pro-Europeanism. Founded 2019 (successor of ALDE, 1976) | 100 % | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Centre-right · Christian democracy, conservatism. Founded 1953 (as Christian Democratic Group) | 100 % | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Right-wing · national conservatism, EU-critical. Founded 2009 | 0 % | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Far-right · national conservatism, right-wing populism. Founded July 2024 | 0 % | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Far-right · ultranationalism. Founded July 2024 | 0 % | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
The latest final votes, group by group
Each group's majority position: For, Against, Abstained, or Split. — = the group did not vote.
| Decision | Left · democratic socialism, communism. Founded 1995 (as GUE; “The Left” since 2021) | Centre-left · green politics, regionalism. Founded 1999 | Centre-left · social democracy. Founded 1953 (as Socialist Group; S&D since 2009) | Centre · liberalism, pro-Europeanism. Founded 2019 (successor of ALDE, 1976) | Centre-right · Christian democracy, conservatism. Founded 1953 (as Christian Democratic Group) | Right-wing · national conservatism, EU-critical. Founded 2009 | Far-right · national conservatism, right-wing populism. Founded July 2024 | Far-right · ultranationalism. Founded July 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of law, fundamental rights and misuse of EU funds in Slovakia: the need for an EU response 20 May 2026 · adopted | For | For | For | For | For | Against | Against | Against |
| Situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2024 and 2025 29 Apr 2026 · adopted | Abstained | For | For | For | For | Against | Against | Against |
| The Commission’s 2025 Rule of Law report 29 Apr 2026 · adopted | For | For | For | For | For | Against | Against | Against |
| Extension of the term of office of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield 28 Apr 2026 · adopted | For | For | For | For | For | Against | Against | Against |
| Attempted takeover of Lithuania’s public broadcaster and the threat to democracy in Lithuania 22 Jan 2026 · adopted | For | For | For | For | For | Against | Against | Against |
| Implementation of the rule of law conditionality regime 18 Dec 2025 · adopted | For | For | For | For | For | Against | Against | Against |
| Existence of a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the Union is founded 25 Nov 2025 · adopted | For | For | For | For | For | Against | Against | Against |
| The Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law report 18 Jun 2025 · adopted | For | For | For | For | For | Against | Against | Against |
| Setting up a Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield, and defining its responsibilities, numerical strength and term of office 18 Dec 2024 · adopted | For | For | For | For | For | Against | Against | Against |
✦ This theme was found by a model reading the decisions; the list of decisions, the counts and the group lines are computed from the record. Wrongly filed decisions can be reported to the site's maintainer.