We Need to Be Serious About Rule of Law

Interview with MEP Daniel Freund on rule of law, Nord Stream 2 and the Conference on the Future of Europe

19 January 2022

Prominent German Green says that the EU should continue to withhold funds from the Member States who do not respect the Rule of Law. Here is the proper response.

Last summer, before the elections in Germany, you said that the conflict around rule of law would be one of the biggest challenges for the EU. You also said that the position of the German government would be crucial. Germany now has a government without CDU and we have already seen some signs and statements suggesting that it will be tougher on the issue of rule of law. Do you expect more pressure on the European Commission to take action against the governments in Poland and Hungary?

There has already been a change in attitude that also had an effect on the behaviour of the European Commission. For a long time, there were signals from Ursula von der Leyen and her immediate surroundings that they wanted to greenlight the recovery fund for Poland. I think the change in the German government and what they put into the coalition treaty, in a way halted those ideas. 

Editor’s Picks: How Czech Regions Design Their Future with the Just Transition Fund

Subscribe

Democratic security comes at a price. What is yours? By subscribing or donating now gain access to analysis, forecasts and scenarios by leading analysts and reporters who monitor democratic risks and develop policy debate from Central Europe on Central Europe.

MonthlyVAT included

€4/month

See all details

  • Full access to articles and all reports in PDF
  • Weekly outlook on democratic security in CEE delivered by e-mail
  • Weekly newsletter with essential highlights
  • Invitations to all Visegrad Insight events online and offline

AnnualVAT included

€40/year

See all details

  • Individual subscribers only. Check our CORPORATE OFFER below
  • 15% Discount (8 EUR off monthly cost if paid annually)
  • Full access to articles and all reports in PDF
  • Weekly outlook on democratic security in CEE delivered by e-mail
  • Weekly newsletter with essential highlights
  • Invitations to all Visegrad Insight events online and offline

Student OR Donation

Choose your contribution

See all details

  • Full access to articles and all reports in PDF
  • Weekly newsletter with essential highlights
  • Some Visegrad Insight events invitations

I am a representative of an institution/business. Is there a corporate offer?

The annual subscription for up to ten institutional users: EUR 999
GO TO CHECKOUT

For a tailor-made offer email us: contact@visegradinsight.eu 

  • Access to all articles for your team
  • Access to all Reports for your team
  • Every Monday a Weekly Outlook with an update on key developments in Central Europe delivered by e-mail
  • Every Thursday a newsletter with the most important highlights and invitations
  • Personal invitations to Visegrad Insight Events
  • Foresight, policy, and risk analysis reports (on-demand)

Intelligence prepared by a group of Visegrad Insight Fellows from all across

Can I receive an invoice?

Yes. You will receive a receipt immediately after purchase and a VAT invoice upon request. The subscription amount includes tax. In case of a donation, there is no tax.

Are my credit card details safe?

Yes. The payment is processed by STRIPE www.stripe.com entrusted also by Amazon, Zoom, Booking.com and used by other global NGOs and businesses in the world. We do not store your credit card details.

How modify or cancel my subscription?

At any moment you can manage your subscription and account details. Sign in to modify or cancel.

Rastislav Kačmár

Editor and reporter at the Slovak daily Denník N. Studied international relations and now he writes about it.

Newsletter

Weekly updates with our latest articles and the editorial commentary.