Judicial systems,
anti-corruption frameworks, media freedom and pluralism, and
other institutional balances: two-thirds, almost 68%, of the
recommendations made by Brussels last year to member states to
advance the rule of law have been fully or partially
implemented, and the capitals are now "much better prepared to
identify, prevent, and address emerging challenges."
This is stated by the European Commission in its fifth annual
report on the rule of law, which for the first time includes
four chapters on developments in Albania, Montenegro, North
Macedonia, and Serbia. "Systemic" concerns remain in terms of
judicial independence, with specific cases of deterioration
observed, prompting the Commission to recommend safeguarding
judicial appointment procedures.
Further actions are also needed to strengthen preventive
frameworks for combating corruption, such as those regulating
lobbying and conflicts of interest, as well as asset declaration
rules, and to "ensure the effectiveness of investigations and
judicial proceedings in corruption cases."
As for media freedom, concerns are expressed regarding the
independence of public service broadcasters' governance or
financial stability, transparency of media ownership, the right
to access public documents, and the transparent and fair
allocation of state advertising.
"The excessive use of accelerated procedures or the overall
quality of the legislative process" raises concerns from
Brussels within the institutional framework.
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