Exclusive: Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia actively pursue regressive policies, watchdog finds

Governments in five EU member states are “consistently and intentionally” eroding the rule of law, Europe’s leading civil liberties group has warned, while democratic standards are deteriorating in six more, including historically strong democracies.

Drawing on evidence from more than 40 NGOs in 22 countries, the Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties) described the governments of Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia as “dismantlers” that were actively weakening the rule of law.

The group’s 2026 report, released on Monday, said the rule of law had regressed in all areas – justice, anti-corruption, media freedom and civil society checks and balances – in Slovakia under the populist, authoritarian, pro-Moscow government of Robert Fico.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 10 points 7 months ago (1 child)

Well, looking at the polls, almost every country is at risk; the right is gaining ground everywhere. Today it’s five countries, but tomorrow there could very well be more. I don’t think kicking them out is the best solution (not least because, as an Italian, I’d prefer it if you didn’t leave us to our fate)

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment