Italy’s government has significantly eroded the rule of law through recent reforms to the judiciary, exhibiting a marked intolerance toward media criticism. This situation serves as a striking illustration of what a coalition of civil liberties organizations refers to as Europe’s ongoing “democratic recession.”
According to a comprehensive report by the Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties), Italy has been identified as one of five nations—alongside Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, and Slovakia—that are actively engaging in measures to systematically undermine the rule of law across various dimensions.
In Hungary, a country that has long been categorized as an “electoral autocracy,” researchers observed a troubling “significant regression” in judicial integrity and democratic practices as of 2024. Following the establishment of Hungary’s sovereignty protection office, which possesses extensive authority to investigate and monitor the activities of Hungarians involved in public life, there has been a marked increase in pressure on non-governmental organizations and media outlets.
This environment of scrutiny not only stifles dissent but also threatens the foundational principles of democracy, as expressed in the findings of the report, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and action to protect civil liberties across the region.
