Democracy Impacts

Hungary and Poland Block EU Budget and Recovery Fund

November 18, 2020

Hungary and Poland blocked the adoption of the 2021-2027 budget and recovery fund by European Union governments due to reservations that the budget law included a clause making access to money conditional on complete submission to the blocs "Rule of Law", putting aside national sovereignty.
EU Funds to be Cut for Breach of Rule of Law

November 11, 2020

Negotiators from the European Parliament and the German EU presidency agreed on a mechanism that allows suspending or cutting EU funds if a member state breaches the bloc's rule of law.
Hungary Ignores EU Warning over Domestic Legislation

November 09, 2020

Hungary continues to apply domestic legislation concerning foreign-funded NGO's despite a recent ruling by the EU Commission calling on Hungary to fall in line with European Union rules.
EU Countries Conduct Coordinated Raid Against Hate Speech

November 09, 2020

Europol and German prosecutors confirm that European police launched coordinated raids in seven countries including Germany, Italy and France on Tuesday as part of a clampdown on online hatred and incitement to violence.
ECtHR Rules that Erdogan Violated Free Speech of Opponent

October 28, 2020

The European Court of Human Rights has found Turkey, who is a member of the Council of Europe, violated the free speech of a top opposition figure, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who was convicted over criticism of Recep Tayyip Erdogan eight years ago.
Lee: Macron's Attempt to Craft New French Islam is Flawed

October 28, 2020

Writing in National Review, Martha Lee examines Macron's government-led, Islamist-managed initiative to create a new, moderate French Islam that aligns with France's republican values, free of foreign influence.
Spanish Prime Minister Proposes Changes for Judicial Appointments

October 21, 2020

Spain's Prime Minister Sanchez has proposed changing how members of the country's top judicial body, the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ), are appointed, which has triggered a political and judicial storm about the independence of the institution.
EU's Top Court Rules Hungary’s Crackdown on Soros-Linked Schools Ruled Illegal

October 09, 2020

In a new ruling, the European Court of Justice rejected Hungary’s law limiting the operation of foreign-funded colleges in Hungary, such as the George Soros-linked Central European University.
French President to Invigorate Fight against "Islamist Separatism"

October 05, 2020

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that he will fight "Islamist Separatism" in France, where homegrown Islamist militancy has shown signs of radicalization within Muslim communities, including the refusal of Muslim men to shake women’s hands, swimming pools that impose alternate time slots for men and women, girls being told to wear full-face veils, and a proliferation of ‘madrassa’ religious school
The EU will conduct its First-Ever Audit on Rule-of-Law

September 30, 2020

In a move to further create cohesion within the bloc, the European Union will conduct its first-ever audit on rule-of-law, focusing on four issues across all 27 EU countries: national justice systems, the fight against corruption, media pluralism and freedom, and checks and balances.