Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Get in touch with us nowRule of Law in the EU: political rights and civil liberties in member states 2023
Respect for political rights and civil liberties is a core element which binds the countries of the European Union together, as these democratic rights are a pre-requisite for membership in the union. In recent years, however, some EU member states have experienced significant democratic backsliding, with the rights of citizens seriously under threat.
Notably, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Poland have all experienced issues with governmental corruption, the erosion of independent institutions, and disregard for rights and civil liberties in the past decade. Hungary is a particularly severe case, as the illiberal government led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban since 2010 has eroded many of the foundations of Hungarian democracy, reflected in its remarkably low score from Freedom House in 2023.
Notably, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Poland have all experienced issues with governmental corruption, the erosion of independent institutions, and disregard for rights and civil liberties in the past decade. Hungary is a particularly severe case, as the illiberal government led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban since 2010 has eroded many of the foundations of Hungarian democracy, reflected in its remarkably low score from Freedom House in 2023.
