The Maynooth Centre for European and Eurasian Studies, MU Social Sciences Institute and Maynooth Centre for European Law invite you to
Rule of law backsliding and the EU's (in)action
Speaker: Prof Laurent Pech (University College Dublin)
Chair: Prof John O'Brennan (maynooth University)
Respondant; Professor Tobias Lock (Maynooth University)
Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) states that “The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities”. However, democratic backsliding has been a striking feature of European Union politics over the last decade or more, part of a wider, global tapestry of 'democratic recession'. The most serious violations have taken place in Hungary and Poland. Both member states have been subject to 'Article 7' procedures, where the EU has tried to address and roll back the attacks on the rule of law in those jurisdictions. Yet, the Union has come in for sustained criticism for not doing enough to address the serious violations of EU norms that unfolded in Budapest and Warsaw.
Join our two excellent speakers as they discuss how the European Union should cope with Member States that no longer respect the basic values of the Union.
Registration required for online
*Note this event will take place in person but hybrid option is also available.*