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Protect public service and strengthen the fight against corruption, the European Commission urges in its annual rule of law report. The war in Ukraine is taken as an example of the need to do right.
“Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine shows that protecting and upholding the rule of law is more important now than ever,” Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said in a press release for this year’s report.
“The EU can only be credible if we uphold the principles at home and continue to strengthen the culture of the rule of law,” Reynders continues.
Between the lines, there are clear pointers to countries such as Hungary and Poland, where the European Commission has for several years been concerned about how courts and the media have increasingly fallen into the lap of those in power.
Concerns about corruption
This year’s report welcomes improvements and efforts in several countries with regard to the administration of justice, media freedom and the fight against corruption.
At the same time, it is stated that 68 percent of those surveyed in a large opinion poll among EU citizens believe that corruption is widespread in their country.
“In some member states, investigations and prosecutions in corruption cases are delayed and rulings are still lacking, especially in cases involving high-level people,” states this year’s EU report.
Public service
Special focus this year has been on the situation for public service journalism in the member countries.
“More safeguards are needed to ensure the independence of the public service and to ensure that the economy is adequate and not used to put political pressure on those media,” said Values Commissioner Vera Jourová in a press release.
This year’s report also contains, for the first time, specially developed recommendations for each EU country.
For the Swedish part, for example, calls are being made for further investigation to strengthen the independence of the judiciary. In addition, calls are made for an increased fight against bribery abroad, among other things through better prosecutions and verdicts.