Italy among the “dismantlers” of the rule of law-RoLR2026 published online

Italy is classified among the “dismantler” countries, with a systematic and intentional weakening of the rule of law.

• Growing pressures on the balance of powers are being recorded, along with persistent critical issues within the judicial system, in an increasingly polarized political climate.
• Limited progress on corruption and transparency, increasing interference in the media, and a shrinking of civic space signal a regression in rights and democratic guarantees.

Now in its seventh edition since 2020, the report, coordinated by the Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties), represents the most in-depth independent civil liberties assessment of the rule of law in the EU to date. Drawing on evidence from a collaboration of 40 human rights organisations across 22 EU countries, the over 800-page report highlights a serious, deliberate erosion of the rule of law in five countries – Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, and Slovakia – and shows that even historically strong democracies, including Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, and Sweden, are experiencing regression.

Examining the most significant infringements of justice, corruption, media freedom, and checks and balances across the European Union (EU) in 2025,  the Liberties Rule of Law Report 2026 has found stagnation as the dominant trend in the rule of law, with very limited progress among Member States. The report finds that the EU’s mechanisms for addressing the decline in the rule of law are largely ineffective, as, despite four years of recommendations from the European Commission, most Member States have failed to turn guidance into tangible action. 

“When the European Commission’s Rule of Law Report was introduced in 2020, it was intended as a preventive tool, prompting concrete action before problems became entrenched. Seven years on, our findings highlight not only backsliding but also ongoing, deliberate efforts to undermine the rule of law. Repeating recommendations without meaningful follow-up will not reverse this trend.” – said Ilina Neshikj, Executive Director, Civil Liberties Union for Europe. 

The Liberties report has found that in 2025, 93% of all recommendations by the Commission were repeated from previous years, often without any changes in wording, while the number of new recommendations was cut in half compared to 2024. Out of 100 recommendations assessed by Liberties, 61 show no progress and a further 13 are backsliding.

Here is the report: Liberties 2026 Rule of Law Report

Regarding Italy:

Rule of Law and Institutions

• Italy is classified among the “dismantler” countries, with a systematic and intentional weakening of the rule of law.
• Growing pressure on the balance of powers is recorded, in particular attempts to increase political control over institutions and democratic checks and balances.

Justice

• Structural shortcomings persist within the judicial system, with controversial reforms and tensions between politics and the judiciary.
• The increasingly polarised political climate risks undermining public confidence in the independence of the justice system.

Corruption and Transparency

• Limited progress: key issues such as lobbying regulation and combating high-level corruption remain unresolved.
• European recommendations are frequently disregarded, reflecting weak implementation of reforms.

Media Freedom

• Concerns are growing over political interference in public media and pressure on the press.
• A more difficult environment for journalists is emerging, with risks to pluralism and editorial independence.

Civic Space and Rights

• Measures such as the “Security Decree” and restrictions on protests indicate a narrowing of civic space.
• A broader trend of curtailing freedom of expression and fundamental rights is observed, in line with other international reports as well.

“The Report confirms an extremely worrying picture for the rule of law in Italy. These are not isolated shortcomings, but a structural trend affecting fundamental democratic balances – from the independence of the judiciary to media freedom and civic space. Repeatedly ignoring the recommendations of the EU Commission is no longer acceptable. The government must take responsibility for this drift and immediately reverse course, before the deterioration becomes irreversible and compromises democracy in the country,” states Laura Liberto, President of CILD.

The 2026 Report on Italy is available for free download at the following link: https://www.liberties.eu/f/k1z8tk

For previous editions of the report on Italy: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021