- cross-posted to:
- europe@feddit.org
- cross-posted to:
- europe@feddit.org
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.
The question is what to do about them? Kick them out of the EU? Diminish their power in the EU? Or just let them sit and fuck things up for everyone else?
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)
Not claiming to have an answer here. It’s a tough problem.
It needs a mechanism to cut funding and restrict access to markets. Solidarity should end once they vote in pro Putin fascists. They can ask their new daddy for money