№303. Rule of law or rule of thumb? A New Copenhagen Mechanism for the EU
№303. Rule of law or rule of thumb? A New Copenhagen Mechanism for the EU

Author(s): Nicholas Hernanz, Elspeth Guild, Sergio Carrera
Subject(s): Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, EU-Legislation
Published by: CEPS Centre for European Policy Studies
Keywords: Rule of Law; New Copenhagen Mechanism; EU;
Summary/Abstract: The EU should establish a new EU supervisory Copenhagen mechanism assessing member states’ compliance with rule of law, fundamental rights and democracy. The mechanism should be a monitoring arm, complementing the current preventive and corrective ones of Article 7 TEU. It would consist of a periodic evaluation or score board of member states’ compliance with Article 2 TEU. No Treaty change would be required. The Commission should coordinate the process. European Council Conclusions should be adopted offering an EU inter-institutional agreement on its features and operability.

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