Five EU governments found to ‘consistently’ dismantle rule of law

Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia actively pursue regressive policies, watchdog finds. Photo: Ukrainian Presidential Press Office

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.

Ireland was one of nine countries classified as “stagnators”.