Liberties has published its 2026 Gap Analysis, questioning whether the European Commission’s annual Rule of Law Report effectively prevents democratic decline or merely documents it. The analysis finds that at least 96% of the recommendations assessed by the Commission in 2026 had not been implemented, while 54% showed no or only limited progress. It also highlights shortcomings in the Report’s preventive role, including its failure to adequately address emerging concerns around civic space, public participation and civil society funding in countries such as Denmark and Sweden. Looking at Hungary’s political transition, Liberties stresses the need for the reporting cycle to support democratic restoration and assess whether reforms work in practice. The analysis calls for clearer benchmarks, consequences for continued inaction and stronger links between the Rule of Law Report and other EU mechanisms, including infringement proceedings and budget conditionality. Read the analysis here.
Source: Liberties
