opinion parliamentary committee, 25 February 2026
On the Commission’s 2025 Rule of Law report – annual report 2025
Document AFET-AD-781246 · (2025/2239(INI))
Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Adrián Vázquez Lázara
Full text
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- Amendment 1
- Amendment 2
- Amendment 3
- Amendment 4
- Amendment 5
- Amendment 6
- Amendment 7
- Amendment 8
- Amendment 9
- Amendment 10
- Amendment 11
- Amendment 12
- Amendment 13
- Amendment 14
- Amendment 15
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- Amendment 83
Amendments 333 paragraphs
The Committee on Foreign Affairs submits the following to the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, as the committee responsible:
Amendment 1
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| – having regard to the Treaty on European Union (TEU), in particular Articles 2, 3(1), 3(3), second subparagraph, 4(3), 5, 6, 7, 11, 19 and 49 thereof, | – having regard to the Treaty on European Union (TEU), in particular Articles 2, 3(1), 3(3), second subparagraph, 4(3), 5, 6, 7, 11, 19, 21 and 49 thereof, |
Amendment 2
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/1083 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 establishing a common framework for media services in the internal market and amending Directive 2010/13/EU (European Media Freedom Act)1a, _____________________ 1a Regulation (EU) 2024/1083 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 establishing a common framework for media services in the internal market and amending Directive 2010/13/EU (European Media Freedom Act) (OJ L, 2024/1083, 17.4.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1083/oj). |
Amendment 3
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
Read the rest (321 paragraphs)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| – having regard to the UN declaration on human rights defenders (HRDs) and the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders, adopted in June 2004, |
Amendment 4
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| – having regard to the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024, extended until 2027, |
Amendment 5
Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| – having regard to its resolution of 26 November 2025 on the protection of minors online1a, _________________________ 1a Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0299. |
Amendment 6
Motion for a resolution
Citation 58 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| – having regard to its resolutions on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Serbia1a, on Albania1b, on North Macedonia1c, on Montenegro1d, on Bosnia and Herzegovina1e, on Georgia1f, on Kosovo1g, on Türkiye1h, and on Ukraine1i, ______________ 1a Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0093. 1b Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0155. 1c Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0157. 1d Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0130. 1e Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0156. 1f Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0158. 1g Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0094. 1h Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0092. 1i Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0175. |
Amendment 7
Motion for a resolution
Citation 58 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| – having regard to its resolution of 22 October 2025 on the polarisation and increased repression in Serbia, one year after the Novi Sad tragedy1a, ______________ 1a Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0248. |
Amendment 8
Motion for a resolution
Citation 64 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| – having regard to the final report of the election observation mission of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on the parliamentary elections of 11 May 2025 in Albania, published on 23 October 2025, |
Amendment 9
Motion for a resolution
Citation 64 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| – having regard to the statements of preliminary findings and conclusions of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission on the early election of the President of Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina of 23 November 2025, published on 21 November 2025, on the local elections of 19 October and 2 November 2025 in North Macedonia, published on 20 October and 3 November 2025, and on the parliamentary elections of 28 September 2025 in Moldova, published on 29 September 2025, |
Amendment 10
Motion for a resolution
Citation 64 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| – having regard to the final report of the EU Election Observation Mission on the parliamentary elections of 9 February 2025 in Kosovo, published on 15 May 2025, |
Amendment 11
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
| Motion for a resolution | Unchanged text included in the compromise |
|---|---|
| A. whereas the EU is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, as set out in Article 2 TEU and as reflected in the Charter and enshrined in international human rights treaties; whereas the Charter is part of EU primary law; whereas these values are shared by all the Member States and should be upheld and actively promoted by the EU and each Member State individually in all their policies, both internally and externally in a consistent way; whereas any undermining of these values poses a systemic threat to the rights and freedoms of the people living in the EU; | A. whereas the EU is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, as set out in Article 2 TEU and as reflected in the Charter and enshrined in international human rights treaties; whereas the Charter is part of EU primary law; whereas these values are shared by all the Member States and should be upheld and actively promoted by the EU and each Member State individually in all their policies, both internally and externally in a consistent, objective, and non-discriminatory manner; whereas any undermining of these values poses a systemic threat to the rights and freedoms of the people living in the EU and in the candidate and potential candidate countries; |
Amendment 12
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Aa. whereas the Copenhagen criteria stipulate a strictly merit-based process that must lead aspiring Member States to embrace the fundamental principles of the EU as a prerequisite for accession, and that these principles cannot be disregarded nor reinterpreted after accession; whereas adherence to EU legislation, policies and positions, in particular concerning democracy, human rights and the rule of law, is an essential component of this obligation; whereas this adherence also requires progressive alignment with the EU’s policies and positions, including the Common Foreign and Security Policy, and in particular its human-rights-based approach; |
Amendment 13
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Ab. whereas the protection and defence of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, and the principles of international law, must guide and constitute a cornerstone of the EU’s external action, as stipulated in Article 21 TEU; |
Amendment 14
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| B. whereas the EU cannot disregard the social and fundamental rights dimensions upon which it was built; whereas the persistent shortcomings in the protection of economic and social rights must be regarded as an integral part of the systemic threat to the values of Article 2 TEU; | B. whereas the EU cannot disregard the social, civic, economic, and fundamental rights dimensions, including the rights of minorities, upon which it was built; whereas there is a need to ensure the long-term sustainability of those rights; whereas the persistent shortcomings in the protection of fundamental rights must be regarded as an integral part of the systemic threat to the values of Article 2 TEU and the goals of Article 3 TEU; |
Amendment 15
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| C. whereas in 2025 the EU has faced serious and multifaceted challenges in its Member States in relation to the protection of the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights, which are all intrinsically connected; | C. whereas in 2025 the EU has faced serious and multifaceted challenges in its Member States, candidate and potential candidate countries in relation to the protection of the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights, which are all intrinsically connected; whereas to effectively adhere to the values of Article 2 TEU and implement the objectives outlined in Article 3 TEU, the EU, in particular the Commission, must safeguard the rule of law by maintaining consistency and taking commensurate action against any internal or external governmental attempts to undermine this fundamental European value; whereas it is thus necessary to strengthen and streamline existing mechanisms and to develop comprehensive EU mechanisms to protect them; |
Amendment 16
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Ca. whereas in recent years authoritarian and repressive governments that openly oppose EU values, such as that in Russia, have doubled down on interference and attempts to undermine the rule of law in the EU and in candidate and potential candidate countries; |
Amendment 17
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| D. whereas the Commission’s 2026 work programme underlines the need for an integrated annual rule-of-law cycle with a common pace, clear milestones and the active contribution of all the EU institutions; whereas respect for the rule of law remains imperative to safeguard all EU funds; | D. whereas the Commission’s 2026 work programme underlines the need for an integrated annual rule-of-law cycle with a common pace, clear milestones and actions and the contribution of all the EU institutions; whereas respect for the rule of law and fundamental freedoms remain imperative to safeguard all EU funds; |
Amendment 18
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Ea. whereas transnational repression can be defined as attacks and threats by states, including authoritarian regimes and their proxies, that aim to defend and advance their interests by reaching across national borders to coerce, control or silence dissidents, political opponents, journalists, activists, human rights defenders (HRDs) and diaspora members, through a broad range of physical methods, such as targeted killings, abductions, violence, harassment and enforced returns, disappearances and deportations, and the strategic misuse of legal instruments, including abuse of consular services, extradition procedures or red notices, and arrests, as well as non-physical methods, such as digital surveillance, intimidation, blackmail and threats against HRDs’ families; whereas transnational repression frequently undermines the security, sovereignty and legal order of host states and poses systemic threats to civic space, democratic institutions and the rule of law both at international level and within the state concerned; |
Amendment 19
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1. Calls on the Member States to take the necessary measures to ensure independent judicial systems and access to free legal aid, thereby guaranteeing equal access to justice for all, and reiterates the need for concrete actions to improve access, specifically for marginalised and vulnerable groups; | 1. Calls on the Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries to take the necessary measures to ensure the political and financial independence of judicial systems, including of prosecutor’s offices, ensuring that they can carry out their work without undue influence or pressure from governments while guaranteeing full respect for individual citizens’ rights; and further calls on them to ensure access to free legal aid, thereby guaranteeing equal access to justice for all, and reiterates the need for concrete actions to improve access, specifically for marginalised and vulnerable groups; notes the lack of independence of judicial systems in some Member States and in some candidate and potential candidate countries, and stresses the utmost importance of the EU’s strong support in this field; |
Amendment 20
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1a. Underlines the leading role of the Council of Europe, notably the Venice Commission as its advisory body on this matter, in addressing concerns and advancing the development of global norms and standards in the rule of law - notably academic freedom, the protection of lawyers and journalists, judicial systems reforms and AI and human rights – and calls on the Member States to follow the same example; |
Amendment 21
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 2. Calls on the Member States to implement pending judgments of the CJEU and the ECtHR promptly, and suggests the establishment of a monitoring unit to monitor the implementation of CJEU and ECtHR rulings relating to democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in EU countries, and to fully integrate the monitoring unit’s findings into the annual rule of law report; | 2. Calls on the Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries to implement pending judgments of the CJEU and the ECtHR promptly, and suggests the establishment of a monitoring unit to monitor the implementation of CJEU and ECtHR rulings relating to democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in EU countries, and to fully integrate the monitoring unit’s findings into the annual rule of law report; |
Amendment 22
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 2a. Calls for the EU and its Member States to continue and strengthen their support for European and international justice institutions, starting with the reinforcement of internal judicial cooperation mechanisms based on mutual trust between the judicial systems of the various Member States and of candidate and potential candidate countries; |
Amendment 23
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 3. Underlines the clear link between rule-of-law backsliding and serious violations of fundamental and minority rights, including the excessive use of force by law enforcement, lack of due process for detainees, political or institutional incitement to hatred, disproportionate surveillance powers, and restrictive measures targeting civil society organisations; firmly believes that the Commission should assess the extent to which Member States address these issues in order to ensure an accessible, effective and impartial justice system; | 3. Underlines the clear link between rule-of-law backsliding and serious violations of fundamental and minority rights, including the excessive use of force by law enforcement, lack of due process for detainees, political or institutional incitement to hatred, disproportionate surveillance powers, including the illegal use of spyware, and restrictive measures targeting civil society organisations; firmly believes that the Commission should assess the extent to which Member States and candidate and potential candidate countries address these issues in order to ensure an accessible, effective and impartial justice system for all citizens; |
Amendment 24
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 4. Calls on the Commission to address prison conditions as a rule-of-law concern, in the light of widespread overcrowding, inadequate living conditions and rising suicide rates, which undermine detainees’ fundamental rights across Member States’ penitentiary systems; | 4. Calls on the Commission to address prison conditions as a rule-of-law concern, in the light of widespread overcrowding, inadequate living conditions and rising suicide rates, which undermine detainees’ fundamental rights across Member States’ and candidate and potential candidate countries’ penitentiary systems; |
Amendment 25
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 4a. Calls for the EU and candidate and potential candidate countries to establish an effective collaboration framework with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in cases related to the misuse of EU funds, embezzlement and corruption; welcomes the working agreements that Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia have concluded with the EPPO; notes that the working arrangement on cooperation between Serbia and the EPPO, which has been pending since 2023, has still not been finalised; |
Amendment 26
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 4b. Calls for the reinforcement of preventive measures against revolving-door practices in judicial systems, in particular in candidate and potential candidate countries, to prevent judges and prosecutors from taking up governmental and political positions that could lead to conflicts of interest and harm the integrity and impartiality of the judicial system; |
Amendment 27
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 5. Reiterates that corruption is a serious threat to democracy, the rule of law and fair treatment for all citizens; | 5. Reiterates that corruption is a serious threat to democracy, the rule of law and fair treatment that undermines citizens’ trust in institutions and can itself act as a promoter and trigger of human rights violations; |
Amendment 28
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 5a. Insists on the need for the EU to take clear steps to recognise the close link between corruption and human rights violations in order to target economic and financial enablers of human rights abusers; |
Amendment 29
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 6. Calls on the Member States, candidate countries and potential candidate countries, as well as EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, to strengthen preventive measures against corruption, including transparent management of EU funds, codes of conduct for public officials, mandatory asset declarations, conflict-of-interest rules, early warning systems and limitations on revolving-door practices; | 6. Calls on the Member States, candidate countries and potential candidate countries, as well as EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, to strengthen preventive measures against corruption, including transparent management of EU funds, codes of conduct for public officials, mandatory asset declarations, conflict-of-interest rules, early warning systems, safeguards against abuse of public facilities and assets, and limitations on revolving-door practices; |
Amendment 30
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 7. Calls on the Member States to guarantee the independence, impartiality and adequate resourcing of disciplinary boards, prosecution services, anti-corruption agencies and the judiciary; | 7. Calls on the Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries to guarantee the independence, impartiality and adequate resourcing of disciplinary boards, prosecution services, anti-corruption agencies and the judiciary; |
Amendment 31
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 8. Stresses that the rule of law requires public officials to act transparently and in the public interest, without abuse of power or arbitrary decision-making; calls on the Member States to promote a culture of integrity through regular anti-corruption training for public officials, law enforcement and judiciary, and by actively engaging civil society in monitoring government actions; | 8. Stresses that the rule of law requires public officials to act transparently and in the public interest, without abuse of power or arbitrary decision-making; calls on the Member States, candidate and potential candidate countries to promote a culture of integrity through regular anti-corruption training for public officials, law enforcement and judiciary, and by actively engaging civil society in monitoring government actions; recalls the importance for democracy of promoting and ensuring the independence and transparency of key public bodies, notably public media boards, independent regulatory bodies, constitutional and supreme courts, and public statistical and polling bodies; |
Amendment 32
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 9. Urges the Member States to ensure prompt, thorough and impartial investigations of corruption cases, with particular priority given to cases involving high-level officials, in order to safeguard the rule of law, uphold public trust and ensure accountability at all levels of government; | 9. Urges the Member States, candidate and potential candidate countries to ensure prompt, thorough and impartial investigations of corruption cases at all levels, with particular attention given to cases involving high-level officials, executive branch members and judicial and prosecutor positions, in order to safeguard the rule of law, uphold public trust and ensure accountability at all levels of government; |
Amendment 33
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 10. Calls on the Member States to protect whistleblowers and journalists reporting on corruption or mismanagement of EU funds, by ensuring confidential reporting channels, effective remedies against retaliation, and the protection of investigative journalism and freedom of expression; | 10. Calls on the Member States, candidate and potential candidate countries to protect whistleblowers and journalists reporting on corruption or mismanagement of EU funds, by ensuring confidential reporting channels, effective remedies against retaliation, and the protection of investigative journalism and freedom of expression; |
Amendment 34
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 11. Strongly believes that the assassination of investigative journalists constitutes a direct attack on the rule of law, as it not only undermines the capacity of citizens and institutions to hold those in power accountable, but also represents one of the most extreme forms of censorship, posing a direct threat to freedom of expression and the functioning of democratic institutions; | 11. Strongly condemns the assassination of journalists, which constitutes an attack on democracy, as it not only undermines the capacity of citizens and institutions to hold those in power accountable, but also represents one of the most extreme forms of censorship, posing a direct threat to freedom of expression and the functioning of democratic institutions; |
Amendment 35
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 13. Remains deeply concerned that media ownership, whether in public or private hands, remains highly concentrated in many Member States, posing a risk to diversity of information and viewpoints; calls on the Member States to adopt legislative frameworks to prevent horizontal concentration, ensure transparency of ownership and management, and guarantee independent oversight and compliance mechanisms to safeguard editorial and journalistic independence and the media’s role as a public watchdog; | 13. Remains deeply concerned that media ownership, whether in public or private hands, remains highly concentrated in many Member States and candidate and potential candidate countries, posing a risk to diversity of information and viewpoints; calls on the Member States and candidate and potential candidate countries to adopt legislative frameworks to prevent horizontal concentration, ensure transparency of ownership and management, and guarantee independent oversight and compliance mechanisms to safeguard editorial and journalistic independence and the media’s role as a public watchdog, as set out in the European Media Freedom Act; regrets that the lack of independence of media regulators and public broadcasters is a persistent issue in multiple candidate and potential candidate countries; underlines the democratic importance of independent, stable public broadcasting and the need to ensure adequate, sustainable and predictable funding of independent public service media in EU Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries; |
Amendment 36
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 13a. Strongly condemns the use of publicly financed media channels, including public service broadcasters and state-funded communication platforms, for the dissemination of misleading information, political propaganda or disinformation, as such practices sow political confusion, undermine media pluralism, distort democratic debate and erode public trust in democratic institutions; recalls that public funding of the media entails a heightened responsibility to ensure editorial independence, accuracy and compliance with democratic standards; |
Amendment 37
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 14. Calls on the Member States and candidate countries to ensure the protection of journalists and other media professionals in the EU in line with Commission recommendations 2021/153446 and 2022/75847 ; | 14. Calls on the Member States and candidate and potential candidate countries to ensure the protection of journalists and other media professionals in the EU in line with Commission recommendations 2021/153446 and 2022/75847; recalls the fundamental role played by journalists in exposing human rights violations, thus becoming targets of attacks by third countries and populist regimes that promote disinformation; |
| 46 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2021/1534 of 16 September 2021 on ensuring the protection, safety and empowerment of journalists and other media professionals in the European Union (OJ L 331, 20.9.2021, p. 8, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2021/1534/oj). | 46 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2021/1534 of 16 September 2021 on ensuring the protection, safety and empowerment of journalists and other media professionals in the European Union (OJ L 331, 20.9.2021, p. 8, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2021/1534/oj). |
| 47 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/758 of 27 April 2022 on protecting journalists and human rights defenders who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings (‘Strategic lawsuits against public participation’) (OJ L 138, 17.5.2022, p. 30, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2022/758/oj). | 47 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/758 of 27 April 2022 on protecting journalists and human rights defenders who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings (‘Strategic lawsuits against public participation’) (OJ L 138, 17.5.2022, p. 30, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2022/758/oj). |
Amendment 38
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 15. Calls on the Member States to fully implement the Anti-SLAPP Directive48 ; | 15. Calls on the Member States to fully implement the Anti-SLAPP Directive48; is deeply concerned by the use of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) in some candidate and potential candidate countries to silence journalists, activists, trade unionists, environmental and human rights defenders (HRDs), and calls on these countries to align their legislation with EU law as a priority, as part of broader efforts to promote and protect media freedom and pluralism; |
| 48 Directive (EU) 2024/1069 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on protecting persons who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings (‘Strategic lawsuits against public participation’) (OJ L, 2024/1069, 16.4.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1069/oj). | 48 Directive (EU) 2024/1069 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on protecting persons who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings (‘Strategic lawsuits against public participation’) (OJ L, 2024/1069, 16.4.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1069/oj). |
Amendment 39
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 16a. Warns that persistent weaknesses in the rule of law, independent media and civil society in candidate and potential candidate countries increase their vulnerability to foreign authoritarian influence and disinformation; strongly calls for the EU, the Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries to intensify coordinated action against disinformation and propagation of fake news in the context of foreign interference, which surges around election time and accession milestones, and is frequently driven by Russia-aligned networks using bots, fake outlets and AI-manipulated content; stresses that these campaigns seek to erode trust in democratic institutions and the accession process; calls for strong, rights-compliant laws, genuinely independent media and digital regulators, and alignment with Digital Services Act1a standards to tackle coordinated inauthentic behaviour and illicit online influence; calls for support for independent fact-checking; _________________ 1a Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act) (OJ L 277, 27.10.2022, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/2065/oj). |
Amendment 40
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 16b. Stresses the need for sustained media-literacy and civic-education efforts to build societal resilience against disinformation; underlines Parliament’s role as an initiator in advancing EU-wide regulation aimed at protecting minors from the harmful effects of social media use and urges candidate and potential candidate countries to align with these standards; |
Amendment 41
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 17. Emphasises the crucial role played by grassroots and community organisations, trade unions, activist groups, human rights defenders and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in promoting and upholding democracy, equality, rule of law and fundamental rights, and in ensuring accountability for state and private actions; | 17. Emphasises the crucial role played by grassroots and community organisations, trade unions, activist groups, human rights defenders, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and associations of judges, prosecutors and other public officials, in promoting and upholding democracy, equality, rule of law and fundamental rights, and in ensuring accountability for state and private actions; |
Amendment 42
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 17a. Commends the essential role played by civil society donor organisations in supporting democratic resilience, and in particular welcomes the work of the European Endowment for Democracy in sustaining civil society activism, strengthening independent media and enabling their survival in the EU’s neighbourhood and candidate and potential candidate countries, especially in hostile or restrictive environments; |
Amendment 43
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 18. Condemns the unprecedented and intensified attack on civic space across the EU, with notable restrictions on the space for civil society and the right to peaceful assembly being witnessed in several Member States; strongly believes that the global trend toward democratic backsliding and the erosion of the rule of law, as well as the securitisation of agendas, have intensified restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly; urges the Member States to create a safe and enabling environment that guarantees freedom of assembly; | 18. Condemns the unprecedented and intensified attack on civic space across the EU and in some candidate and potential candidate countries, with notable restrictions on the space for civil society and the right to peaceful assembly being witnessed in several Member States; strongly believes that the global trend toward democratic backsliding and the erosion of the rule of law, as well as the securitisation of agendas, have intensified restrictions on fundamental rights and freedoms; urges the Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries to create a safe and enabling environment that guarantees all freedoms; |
Amendment 44
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 19. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to improve the legal environment for civil society by ensuring that any measure restricting the right of associations to seek, secure and use resources, including foreign resources, must pursue one of the legitimate aims under Article 11(2) ECHR; | 19. Calls on the Member States, the candidate and potential candidate countries, and the Commission to improve the legal environment for civil society by ensuring that any measure restricting the right of associations to seek, secure and use resources, including foreign resources, must pursue one of the legitimate aims under Article 11(2) ECHR; |
Amendment 45
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 20. Is concerned by the growing legal and financial restrictions, smear campaigns, and criminalisation of civil society organisations and human rights defenders; stresses that reporting requirements for NGOs must not exceed those strictly necessary and proportionate to the specific aims pursued; | 20. Is concerned by the growing legal and financial restrictions, smear campaigns, and criminalisation of civil society organisations and human rights defenders including in candidate and potential candidate countries; stresses that reporting requirements for NGOs must not exceed those strictly necessary and proportionate to the specific aims pursued; |
Amendment 46
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 20a. Condemns any form of transnational repression as a serious threat to international human rights law and a violation of the sovereignty of host countries; expresses serious concerns about the role of some EU Member States and non-state actors, such as digital service providers and other technology intermediaries, criminal organisations and proxies, including diaspora members, in facilitating transnational repression, including through collaboration among states’ border and security forces; |
Amendment 47
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 21. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to ensure the allocation of adequate financial resources for civil society organisations and human rights defenders; calls on the Member States to provide effective protection for human rights defenders, including rapid response mechanisms to threats; | 21. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to ensure the allocation of adequate financial resources for civil society organisations and human rights defenders, including in the candidate and potential candidate countries; calls on the Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries to provide effective protection for human rights defenders, including rapid response mechanisms to threats; recalls that, while national security remains the sole responsibility of the Member States, the scale and cross-border nature of transnational repression require a coordinated EU-level response, including cooperation initiatives among national authorities, EU institutions and civil society actors; calls on the Member States to close down all so-called Chinese overseas police service stations on their territory; |
Amendment 48
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 21a. Condemns in the strongest terms the adoption of laws on ‘foreign agents’ by some candidate countries with the aim of censoring journalists, human rights defenders and educational and civil society organisations; deeply regrets that authorities in an increasing number of enlargement countries are working on such plans and urges them to immediately abandon these plans; |
Amendment 49
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 23. Is deeply concerned about the discriminatory measures introduced in some Member States under the pretext of fighting ‘LGBTIQ propaganda’ and ‘gender ideology’; stresses that the Commission must act swiftly and decisively when Member States circumvent EU law, in particular the Charter; | 23. Is deeply concerned about the discriminatory measures introduced in some Member States and some candidate and potential candidate countries under the pretext of fighting ‘LGBTIQ propaganda’ and ‘gender ideology’; stresses that the Commission must act swiftly and decisively when Member States circumvent EU law, in particular the Charter; |
Amendment 50
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 24. Calls on all Member States to protect LGBTIQ+ rights in compliance with EU law, the Charter, and CJEU and ECtHR case-law; recalls that legal barriers to recognising same-sex partnerships or parenthood across borders persist in several Member States, violating the principles of free movement and non-discrimination; | 24. Calls on all Member States and candidate and potential candidate countries to protect LGBTIQ+ and gender rights in compliance with EU law, the Charter, and CJEU and ECtHR case-law; recalls that legal barriers to recognising same-sex partnerships or parenthood across borders persist in several Member States, violating the principles of free movement and non-discrimination; |
Amendment 51
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 25. Is deeply concerned by the increasing levels of racism and xenophobia across the EU; condemns the incidents of hate crime and hate speech motivated by racism, xenophobia or religious intolerance, or bias against a person’s disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or minority status; calls on the Commission and the Member States to adopt and implement effective measures to combat all forms of racism, with the full inclusion of civil society and with the contribution of relevant stakeholders, such as the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights; | 25. Is deeply concerned by the increasing levels of racism, antisemitism, islamophobia and xenophobia across the EU and candidate and potential candidate countries; condemns the incidents of hate crime and hate speech motivated by racism, antisemitism, islamophobia and xenophobia or religious intolerance, or bias against a person’s disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or minority status; calls on the Commission, the Member States and candidate and potential candidate countries to increase their efforts, including through international cooperation and adopt and implement effective measures to combat them with the full inclusion of civil society and with the contribution of relevant stakeholders, such as the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights; |
Amendment 52
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 26. Condemns the fact that some Member States have adopted laws, policies and practices that undermine the effective protection of the fundamental rights of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, on land and at sea; calls on the Commission and the Member States to put the fundamental rights of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, as well as the principle of responsibility-sharing, at the centre of its migration and asylum policies, to ensure that people’s rights to asylum and international protection are upheld; | 26. Condemns the fact that some Member States have adopted laws, policies and practices that undermine the effective protection of the fundamental rights of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, on land and at sea; calls on the Commission, the Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries to put the fundamental rights of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, as well as the principle of responsibility-sharing, at the centre of its migration and asylum policies, to ensure that people’s rights to asylum and international protection are upheld; |
Amendment 53
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 28. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take effective action against gender-based violence, which should be added to the list of ‘EU crimes’, and calls for an EU legislative proposal on combating rape as defined by the lack of consent; | 28. Calls on the Commission, the Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries to take effective action against gender-based violence, including violence against women, which should be added to the list of ‘EU crimes’, and calls for an EU legislative proposal on combating rape as defined by the lack of consent; |
Amendment 54
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 29. Reiterates its call for access to safe, legal abortion to be enshrined in the Charter; | 29. Reiterates its call to ensure access to sexual and reproductive health and related rights and for access to safe and legal abortion to be enshrined in the Charter; |
Amendment 55
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 30. Is deeply concerned about fundamental rights violations facilitated by or linked to the use of EU funds in some Member States, notably in the areas of housing and educational segregation, reception conditions for asylum seekers, the institutionalisation of persons with disabilities and of children, and certain urban regeneration initiatives; calls on the Commission to include recommendations addressing these violations in its annual rule of law report; proposes that a specific share of EU funds be earmarked for the independent monitoring of EU-funded actions, including assessments of their legal and fundamental rights impacts, as well as for legal research, strategic litigation and the independent evaluation of potential violations, with strong involvement of civil society organisations; | 30. Is deeply concerned about fundamental rights violations facilitated by or linked to the use of EU funds in some Member States and some candidate countries and potential candidate countries; calls on them to address these issues; proposes that a specific share of EU funds be earmarked for the independent monitoring of EU-funded actions, including assessments of their legal and fundamental rights impacts, as well as for legal research, strategic litigation and the independent evaluation of potential violations with involvement of civil society organisations; |
Amendment 56
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 31. Insists that the measures required for the release of EU funding, as defined by the relevant decisions taken under the Common Provisions Regulation, the Recovery and Resilience Facility Regulation50 and the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation, must be assessed coherently as an integral package and that no payments should be made while deficiencies persist; believes that the Commission should take further action under the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation as regards other breaches of the rule of law, such as those related to the judiciary; | 31. Insists that the measures required for the release of EU funding, as defined by the relevant decisions taken under the Common Provisions Regulation, the Recovery and Resilience Facility Regulation50 and the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation, must be assessed coherently as an integral package and that no payments should be made while deficiencies persist; believes that the Commission should take further action under the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation as regards other breaches of the rule of law, such as those related to the judiciary or cases of public procurement; |
| 50 Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 February 2021 establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility (OJ L 57, 18.2.2021, p. 17, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/241/oj). | 50 Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 February 2021 establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility (OJ L 57, 18.2.2021, p. 17, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/241/oj). |
Amendment 57
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 31a. Calls for the rule of law conditionality principle to be applied consistently across all EU spending, including external action in general, and for pre-accession assistance under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) III and in the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans for candidate and potential candidate countries in particular; stresses that such conditionality must be transparent, evidence- and performance-based and accompanied by effective monitoring and judicial safeguards, in line with the EU’s values; calls for disbursements under IPA III to be tied to concrete results, and for reallocation, suspension or reduction of funding in cases of persistent backsliding on judicial independence, anti-corruption efforts and fundamental rights; |
Amendment 58
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 31b. Notes that, under the Commission’s proposal for the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework, the IPA would be integrated into a single Global Europe instrument, intended to increase flexibility and scale up support for candidate and potential candidate countries preparing for accession; stresses, however, that this consolidation must not dilute the pre-accession purpose or weaken rule of law priorities, and therefore funding should be targeted on rule of law reforms, with spending targets and conditionality aligned with accession benchmarks; |
Amendment 59
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 33. Acknowledges that a single market dimension has been included in the rule of law report to address rule of law issues affecting the overall economic environment, companies and workers, with the aim of ensuring that rights are defended, corruption is punished, and contracts are enforced; stresses that a functioning justice system, a strong anti-corruption framework, media pluralism, and adequate checks and balances all have an economic impact and influence the smooth functioning of the single market; proposes that in its assessment the Commission engages even more with stakeholders and civil society organisations, including trade unions; | 33. Acknowledges that a single market dimension has been included in the rule of law report to address rule of law issues affecting the overall economic environment, companies and workers, with the aim of ensuring that rights are defended, corruption is punished, and contracts are enforced; stresses that a functioning justice system, a strong anti-corruption framework, media pluralism, and adequate checks and balances all have an economic impact and influence the smooth functioning of the single market; proposes that in its assessment the Commission engages even more with stakeholders and civil society organisations, including trade unions and business associations; |
Amendment 60
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 35. Reiterates that the values enshrined in Article 2 TEU must be respected not only by current Member States but also by future EU members during the accession process; encourages a close evaluation of the rule of law in all countries in an accession process; encourages the Commission to provide concrete recommendations to accession countries on the state of the rule of law, and to ensure alignment with the enlargement report; | 35. Reiterates that the values enshrined in Article 2 TEU must be respected not only by current Member States but also by future EU members during and after the accession process; stresses that the EU’s credibility and legitimacy in the enlargement process depends on ensuring that both the EU Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries are held to the same high standards of democracy, human rights and the rule of law; underlines that such credibility, legitimacy and trust in the EU’s commitments can be harmed by double standards in this field in the EU; |
Amendment 61
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 35a. Welcomes the fact that the rule of law report has specific chapters on Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia; calls on the Commission to extend its geographical scope to cover all candidate and potential candidate countries and to provide concrete recommendations to accession countries on the state of the rule of law, ensuring alignment with the enlargement reports and including specific, measurable benchmarks; considers that these recommendations will support these countries’ reform efforts to achieve irreversible progress on democracy and rule of law ahead of accession, and to guarantee that high standards will be upheld after accession; |
Amendment 62
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 35b. Underlines that the EU should offer a credible and tangible accession perspective to its candidates and potential candidates, including Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia; highlights that these Eastern European countries bordering Russia face exceptional political, security and socio-economic pressures which make the accession process particularly challenging; underlines that their sustained reform efforts and the significant risks they bear in defending European values should be met by the EU with a swift, tailormade and clearly sequenced enlargement procedure that is limited in time and ensures gradual integration already before full membership; |
Amendment 63
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 35c. Strongly condemns the increasing deterioration of the rule of law in Georgia, which accelerated significantly after the rigged parliamentary elections in October 2024; condemns the ongoing violations of fundamental freedoms, basic human rights and the country’s core international obligations perpetrated by Georgia’s self-appointed authorities, which undermines decades of democratic reforms driven by the country’s political class and civil society; condemns the regime’s ongoing attempts to ban the most prominent opposition parties as ‘unconstitutional’; deplores the alleged use of toxic gas by the law enforcement officers against protesters in December 2024, as revealed in a BBC report on the 1 December 2025, and calls for an urgent independent investigation into these allegations; urges the de facto authorities to immediately cease the violent repression of peaceful protesters, political opponents and media representatives; |
Amendment 64
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 d (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 35d. Expresses deep regret over the fact that the ruling Georgian Dream party has abandoned its path towards European integration and NATO membership; recalls that the ongoing democratic backsliding and adoption of anti-democratic laws has effectively suspended Georgia’s EU integration process; highlights that Georgia received the harshest evaluation ever granted to a candidate state in the European Commission’s 2025 Communication on EU policy due to widespread backsliding in human rights, democracy and the rule of law; |
Amendment 65
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 e (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 35e. Calls for the EU and its Member States to provide robust support to candidate and potential candidate countries in pursuing their ambitious reforms in the field of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and integrating them into all their national policies; calls on the Commission and on the EU delegations on the ground to prioritise them in its political dialogue, reporting and IPA III programming, in line with the ‘fundamentals first’ approach, and to apply a credible and merit-based approach; |
Amendment 66
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 f (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 35f. Stresses that, in the majority of cases, the accession process itself is an element that encourages and promotes democratic reforms and improvements in the areas of the rule of law and institutional modernisation in the candidate and potential candidate countries; |
Amendment 67
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 g (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 35g. Urges the Commission, including at the highest level, to use clearer and more direct language in its public communication, proactively and consistently highlighting both progress as well as shortcomings, and backsliding, particularly in the area of the rule of law, with a view to effectively leveraging conditionality, upholding the Union’s fundamental values, improving the authorities’ accountability towards their citizens and to prevent a loss of confidence among pro-European and pro-democratic forces in the enlargement countries, which expect a firm and transparent stance; |
Amendment 68
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 h (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 35h. Underlines that civil society is vital in fostering democracy and pluralism and promoting good governance as well as social progress, and that local vibrant civil societies in candidate and potential candidate countries play a constructive role in the EU integration processes; calls on the EU and its Member States to reinforce assistance, including financial support, capacity-building and political backing, to value-driven, pro-European civil society actors in these countries, in particular those engaged in democratic reforms and the promotion of European values; stresses that empowering such actors is essential to strengthening accountability, societal resilience and public support for the accession process; calls on the candidate and potential candidate countries to provide an enabling space and an appropriate framework for cooperation to ensure their meaningful involvement; |
Amendment 69
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 i (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 35i. Reiterates its warning against foreign interference seeking to sway the outcome of elections in the EU and in the candidate and potential candidate countries; calls for the EU to provide targeted assistance to these countries, thereby enhancing their capacity to safeguard the fundamental right of their citizens to participate in free and fair elections, protected from manipulation by foreign actors; calls for thorough monitoring and for rapid and effective preventive measures to be taken to combat them when identified; |
Amendment 70
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 j (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 35j. Stresses the importance of maintaining a rules-based international order and an EU based on rules to uphold the universal values on which it is founded; highlights that the growing and unprecedented threats to the work of multilateral institutions on rule of law and disrespect for international law, the increasing trend toward delegitimisation of the judiciary around the world and the polarisation of debates concerning international justice institutions, such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the ICC, pose an existential threat to the rules-based global order; recalls that international law and the competent independent legal authorities are essential in upholding international justice, ensuring accountability and fighting against impunity; |
Amendment 71
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 k (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 35k. Reiterates the EU’s strong support for the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court (ICC) as essential, independent and impartial jurisdictional institutions at a particularly challenging time for international justice; deplores the unprecedented threats faced by the ICC, in particular owing to the imposition of sanctions on its judges and other officials, and calls on the EU and its Member States, and candidate and potential candidate countries, to continue supporting it with all the necessary means and resources, and to use all instruments at their disposal to strengthen the fight against impunity worldwide; |
Amendment 72
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 l (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 35l. Urges the Member States to publicly condemn any decisions from countries authorising sanctions against ICC judges and other officials, including its prosecutor, and calls for the activation of the EU’s blocking statute1a to shield the ICC and those cooperating with and supporting the court, including civil society organisations and human rights defenders; __________________ 1a Council Regulation (EC) No 2271/96 of 22 November 1996 protecting against the effects of the extra-territorial application of legislation adopted by a third country, and actions based thereon or resulting therefrom (OJ L 309, 29.11.1996, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/1996/2271/oj). |
Amendment 73
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 m (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 35m. Recalls that full compliance with ICC decisions is an integral part of the obligations of EU Member States, including executing the ICC’s arrest warrants on the territory of the Member States; calls on the Commission to indicate cases of non-execution of arrest warrants in its rule of law reports; |
Amendment 74
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 n (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 35n. Urges all EU Member States, also as States Parties to the UN Charter, the Rome Statute and the European Convention on Human Rights, to fully abide by rulings of the competent international courts; calls for the EU to urge non-EU countries, including its major partners and candidate and potential candidate countries, to become States Parties to the Rome Statute; calls on the Member States to apply universal jurisdiction in the fight against impunity; |
Amendment 75
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 o (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 35o. Reiterates its support for increasing the use of the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, along with other ad hoc sanctions frameworks, as a key political EU policy tool promoting the rule of law, democracy and human rights, which complements other judicial instruments; recalls, however, the limitations and slowness of the current decision-making system for these instruments’ activation and the loopholes in enforcement mechanisms that allow circumvention; |
Amendment 76
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 8 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| The EU’s crucial role in defending the rule of law at a time of democratic backsliding around the world |
Amendment 77
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 p (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 35p. Underlines that the European Union’s ability to defend democracy and the rule of law globally, including in the candidate and potential candidate countries, depends on its capacity to act strategically, project influence and offer a credible political, economic and social model in competition with authoritarian systems; believes that reaffirming this model is essential to restoring citizens’ trust and countering anti-democratic ideologies domestically and abroad; stresses that the bypassing or weakening of formal, institutionalised policymaking procedures undermines the rule of law transparency, democratic accountability and the separation of powers, and calls on the Member States, EU institutions, candidate and potential candidate countries to reinforce institutional safeguards and parliamentary scrutiny; |
Amendment 78
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 q (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 35q. Warns that contemporary threats to democracy and the rule of law are increasingly ideological, organised and transnational in nature, stemming from converging reactionary movements in both democratic and authoritarian systems; stresses that these narratives seek to delegitimise democratic pluralism, checks and balances and social democracy, and therefore require a coordinated political, cultural and intellectual response at Union level; |
Amendment 79
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 r (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 35r. Stresses that the EU must regain full democratic sovereignty over its external communication by countering hostile disinformation, ideological manipulation and authoritarian narratives; considers that strategic communication is now an essential pillar of defending democracy and the rule of law; |
Amendment 80
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 39. Believes that the Commission should be clearer in identifying and articulating the trajectory each Member State is on, including early warning signs and the identification of serious and systemic issues, and stresses that the Commission should ensure coherence between the issues identified and the recommendations issued; | 39. Believes that the Commission should be clearer in identifying and articulating the trajectory each Member State and the candidate and potential candidate countries is on, including early warning signs and the identification of serious and systemic issues, and stresses that the Commission should ensure consistency between the issues identified and the recommendations issued; |
Amendment 81
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 40. Calls on the Commission to issue recommendations that are more operational, distinguishing those relating to serious and systemic issues, and setting out concrete measures, timelines and benchmarks for their implementation by the Member States; | 40. Calls on the Commission to issue recommendations that are more operational, distinguishing those relating to serious and systemic issues, and setting out concrete measures, timelines and benchmarks for their implementation by the Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries; |
Amendment 82
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 43. Reiterates its call on the Commission to expand the scope of the report to cover all aspects of Article 2 TEU, and to include broader indicators, such as media independence, the role of civil society, fundamental rights, academic and artistic freedom, gender equality, the protection of minorities and vulnerable groups, respect for international law, free and fair elections, and the functioning of democratic institutions; | 43. Reiterates its call on the Commission to expand the scope of the report to cover all aspects of Article 2 TEU, and to include broader indicators, such as media and public bodies’ independence, the role of civil society, fundamental rights, academic and artistic freedom, gender equality, the protection of minorities and vulnerable groups, respect for international law, free and fair elections, and the functioning of democratic institutions, aligning the findings with the enlargement reports for candidate and potential candidate countries; |
Amendment 83
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 45. Calls on the Council to make its Rule of Law dialogue more transparent, interactive and outcome-oriented, including by issuing detailed conclusions and providing feedback on Commission and Parliament findings; deplores the inability of the Council to make meaningful progress in the ongoing Article 7(1) TEU procedure and believes that any further delay to the Council’s action would amount to a breach of the rule of law principle by the Council itself, | 45. Calls on the Council to make its Rule of Law dialogue more transparent, interactive and outcome-oriented, including by issuing detailed conclusions and providing feedback on Commission and Parliament findings; deplores the inability of the Council to make meaningful progress in the ongoing Article 7(1) TEU procedure and believes that any further delay to the Council’s action would amount to a breach of the rule of law principle by the Council itself; calls for the procedure to be strengthened through the introduction of objective criteria, procedural deadlines and regular assessments, in order to prevent it from being stalled or instrumentalised by shifting political dynamics within the Council and to ensure the equal treatment of all Member States; |
Annex: declaration of input 1 paragraph
The rapporteur for opinion declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not include in his opinion input from interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies, to be listed in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.
Information on adoption by the committee asked for opinion 1 paragraph
| Date adopted | 25.2.2026 | |
| Result of final vote | +: –: 0: | 43 12 5 |
Procedure pages
How the committees handled the text, and how their members voted on it.
Final vote by roll call by the committee asked for opinion 3 paragraphs
43 · For
- EPP
- Wouter Beke, Ioan-Rareş Bogdan, Sebastião Bugalho, Jan Farský, Loucas Fourlas, Michael Gahler, Christophe Gomart, Rasa Juknevičienė, Sandra Kalniete, Łukasz Kohut, Ondřej Kolář, Andrey Kovatchev, David McAllister, Vangelis Meimarakis, Francisco José Millán Mon, Davor Ivo Stier, Adrián Vázquez Lázara, Željana Zovko
- Renew
- Dan Barna, Helmut Brandstätter, Engin Eroglu, Bernard Guetta, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Marjan Šarec
- S&D
- Lucia Annunziata, Robert Biedroń, Tobias Cremer, Elio Di Rupo, Sandra Gómez López, Costas Mavrides, Matjaž Nemec, Tonino Picula, Thijs Reuten, Nacho Sánchez Amor, Andreas Schieder, Marta Temido
- The Left
- Rima Hassan
- Greens
- Jaume Asens Llodrà, Sergey Lagodinsky, Hannah Neumann, Leoluca Orlando, Mounir Satouri, Villy Søvndal
12 · Against
- ECR
- Marion Maréchal, Sebastian Tynkkynen
- ESN
- Tomasz Froelich, Alexander Sell
- No group
- Grzegorz Braun, Kostas Papadakis
- Patriots
- Mieke Andriese, Fabrice Leggeri, Jorge Martín Frías, António Tânger Corrêa, Hermann Tertsch, Pierre-Romain Thionnet
5 · Abstained
- ECR
- Adam Bielan, Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza
- The Left
- Marc Botenga, Danilo Della Valle, Özlem Demirel