The state of the rule of law, EU budget talks: debate with Commissioner Reynders

The Civil Liberties Committee will discuss the proposed conditionality clause on the rule of law, ahead of negotiations with Council, and the first EC² rule of law report.

Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders³ will debate with MEPs on the proposed clause to make funding conditional on respecting democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights. This would be inserted into the next EU⁴ long-term budget to correct persistent shortcomings in these areas in the member states. Parliament’s co-rapporteurs for the Multiannual Financial Framework Jan Olbrycht⁵ (EPP, PL) and Margarida Marques⁶ (S&D, PT), as well as the rapporteur on sectoral programmes Eider Gardiazábal Rubial⁷ (S&D, ES), will also contribute to the discussion.

The negotiations between Parliament and Council on the final shape of the rules on conditionality to protect the EU budget are expected to commence soon, following the adoption of the Council’s position on Wednesday.

A second debate will focus on the Commission’s first Annual Rule of Law Report, which was published on Wednesday and aims to prevent backsliding on EU values in the member states.

WHEN: Thursday 1 October, 16.50 - 18.35

WHERE: European Parliament in Brussels, József Antall building, room 2Q2 - with remote participation.

You can follow the meeting live here.

Background

Parliament has asked since 2016 for a permanent mechanism to protect EU values and MEPs are expected to vote soon on a comprehensive proposal (approved at committee level last week) that will integrate and complement existing mechanisms. Parliament has insisted since 2018 that such a new tool should be linked to protecting the European Union’s budget when a member state consistently fails to respect the rule of law. MEPs have also referenced the European Semester as a useful existing resource to draw upon.