Photo source: EURACTIV/ The Capitals
Freedom of the press, lack of independence of the judiciary and the management of migrants: The European Commission in its second EU-wide rule of law report released on Tuesday stated that during the COVID-19 pandemic, “the risk of corruption in Italy increased significantly”.
While Hungary and Poland remain the ‘black sheep’ of the EU in terms of respect for the rule of law, according to the Commission report, the economic consequences linked to the virus have increased the possibility “of crimes related to corruption, aimed at penetrating more deeply into the economy in Italy.”
Although initiatives have been introduced to combat corruption and collaboration between institutions is working well, efforts have been “hampered by the excessive time frame of criminal trials,” especially on appeal, the report added. So-called ‘backward trials’ count among the “serious challenges” the country must face.
The EU executive also acknowledged that the “Italian judicial system continues to be the subject of a series” of actions “aimed at improving its quality and efficiency, including the legislative proposals for the streamlining of civil and criminal procedures, still under discussion in parliament.”
Brussels is now waiting for the reforms planned by the Draghi government, as part of the implementation of the Next Generation EU.