Democracy Impacts

European Commission to Start Legal Action Against Poland Over Rule of Law

December 22, 2021

The European Commission will begin an infringement procedure against Poland for undermining EU law by sending a formal notice, giving Poland two months to reply and fulfill its obligations under EU law.
Hungary's Top Court Avoids Ruling on Primacy of EU law

December 15, 2021

While avoiding ruling on primacy of European Union law, Hungary's Constitutional Court authorizes government action in absence of adequate EU rules.
Euroscepticism in the EU after Brexit

December 08, 2021

Rónán Duffy writing in thejournal.ie explores euroscepticism in the European Union (EU) since Brexit, highlighting that near 30% of MEPs have been identified as being various shades of eurosceptic.
EU Attacks Top Court Appointments in Georgia

December 04, 2021

Following Georgia’s four lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court, the EU’s Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Peter Stano criticized the action and reminded Georgia that the EU assistance to Georgia “remains conditional on progress on key reforms, including on judiciary.”
Polish Tribunal Rules ECtHR Cannot Question its Judges

December 01, 2021

Poland's Constitutional Tribunal, rejecting a ruling by Europe's top human rights court in May, said that the European Court of Human Rights had no power to question its appointment of judges.
Politico: Macron Edging away from Europe

November 18, 2021

Following the Polish constitutional court’s decision to reject the primacy of the Court of Justice of the European Union, the debate has been reopened in France and many French presidential contenders, both right and left, have sided with Warsaw, calling for France to assert the primacy of its own constitution, or even its own individual laws, over European legislation.
ECJ Blasts Hungary Over Anti-Migrant Law

November 16, 2021

Following Hungary’s 2018 legislation making it a criminal offense for organizations and individuals to aid immigrants and refugees apply for asylum, The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that Hungary broke EU rules.
European Committee of Social Rights Publishes Guide for Cooperation with NHRIs and NEBs

October 27, 2021

The European Committee of Social Rights, the Council of Europe's (COE) committee for monitoring the implementation of the European Social Charter, has published a guide that explains how the Committee and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and National Equality Bodies (NEBs) can cooperate in promoting the Charter rights in COE member states.
Kalnoky: EU Emphasizes Power over Values in Row with Poland

October 27, 2021

In an opinion piece published in DW, Hungarian commentator Boris Kalnoky opines that the struggle between EU officials and the Poland Law and Justice Party is less about the rule of law than it is about the fundamental nature of power relations between the EU and national governments.
ECtHR Rejects Turkey's Attempt to Prohibit Criticism of President

October 20, 2021

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has concluded that Turkey's conviction of Vedat Şorli for "insulting the President" with a photo and cartoon posted to Facebook violated his right to freedom of expression.