DRFMG
Working Group - Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights (DRFMG)
In October 2024, the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) decided to renew the mandate of its Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG).
Following the murders of investigative journalists in Malta and Slovakia, LIBE established the Rule of Law Monitoring Group (ROLMG) in June 2018 to assess the rule of law situation in the EU, focusing on corruption and press freedom. In 2019, its mandate was expanded, and it was renamed the Democracy, Rule of Law, and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG). The group built on its predecessor's work, recommending actions to the LIBE Committee, such as stakeholder meetings, hearings, and missions, as well as proposals for resolutions and reports. For the 10th legislative term (2024-2029), LIBE has renewed the DRFMG's mandate to continue monitoring and addressing rule of law issues in Member States. The group can take action on specific situations if deemed necessary by a majority of its Members, weighted according to the number of full Members of their political group within the LIBE Committee. Its work remains crucial in ensuring compliance with EU democratic principles.
Members
The DRFMG consists of two permanent members from each political group. The DRFMG also invites other Committees members, where relevant, in view of their specific areas of competence
MEP Sophie Wilmès was elected as the Chair of the DRFMG during its constitutive meeting on 21 November. The Chair regularly reports to the LIBE Committee
Activity reports
The Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG) is tasked with reporting on its activities to the LIBE Committee. To this end, it produces regular activity reports covering all meetings and missions conducted over the reporting period.
Mission reports
As part of its monitoring work, the DRFMG conducts on-the-ground missions to examine specific issues. These missions involve meetings with national authorities, stakeholders, institutional representatives, civil society organisations, media representatives, and academic experts active in the relevant fields. Each mission results in a report, which is subsequently presented to the LIBE Committee.
Country-specific monitoring on democracy, rule of Law and fundamental rights
As part of its monitoring activities, the DRFMG organises exchanges of views on country-specific developments relating to democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in specific Member States. These discussions allow Members to engage directly with national authorities, civil society organisations, journalists, independent experts and other relevant stakeholders. Given the confidential nature of these exchanges, the meetings are held in camera and no agendas are published.
During the current mandate, the DRFMG has organised a series of country-specific meetings.
Bulgaria
- 2 July 2025 - Exchange of views on the rule of law situation in Bulgaria
- 19 November 2025 - Exchange of views on the rule of law and fundamental rights situation in Bulgaria
Greece
- 25 June 2025 - Exchange of views on the rule of law situation in Greece
Hungary
- 5 February 2025 - Exchange of views on the Hungarian situation and the freezing/unfreezing of European funds
- 5 March 2025 - Exchange of views on the situation of the LGBTIQ+ community in Hungary
- 3 July 2025 - Exchange of views with the Hungarian Integrity Authority
Italy
- 14 May 2025 - Exchange of views on the rule of law situation in Italy
Lithuania
- 2 February 2026 - Situation of media freedom and pluralism in Lithuania
Malta
- 4 December 2024 - Follow-up to the Public Inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia
- 5 February 2025 - Follow-up to the Public Inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia
Poland
- 17 December 2025 - Exchange of views on the rule of law and fundamental rights situation in Poland (part I, with stakeholders and civil society)
- 15 January 2026 - Exchange of views on the rule of law and fundamental rights situation in Poland (part II, with national authorities)
Romania
- 14 January 2025 - Exchange of views on 2024 elections in Romania, disinformation and foreign interference in media space
- 29 January 2026 - Exchange of views on the situation of rule of law and fundamental rights in Romania - Justice system and anti-corruption framework
Slovakia
- 30 January 2025 - Exchange of views on the rule of law situation in Slovakia
- 13 April 2026 - Follow-up meeting on the rule of law and fundamental rights situation in Slovakia
Spain
- 24 September 2025 - Exchange of views on the rule of law and fundamental rights situation in Spain, with a focus on the justice system and anti-corruption framework
Horizontal discussions regarding democracy, rule of Law and fundamental rights
As part of its monitoring work, the DRFMG holds decicated discussions on horizontal issues relating to democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights within the European Union. These meetings provide a platform for exchanges with institutional representatives, civil society organisations, academics, journalists and other experts on thematic developments and emerging challenges. The debates are generally public and webstreamed, and the corresponding agendas are published.
-
Horizontal rule of law framework
- 11 December 2024 - Exchange of views with the European Commission on the tools linked to the rule of law; exchange of views with the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (PDF - 160 KB)
- 8 April 2025 - Exchange of views with Commissioner McGrath on The Commission’s priorities on the rule of law (PDF - 161 KB)
- 8 April 2025 - Recordings of DRFMG meeting
- 8 July 2025 - Exchange of views with Commissioner McGrath on the Presentation of the 2025 Rule of Law Report
- 2 December 2025 – Exchange of views on monitoring compliance with the rule of law by the European Union (PDF - 158 KB)
- Research - Grabowska-Moroz, Barbara et al., “Rule of Law beyond the EU Member States - Assessing the Union's Performance”, 2025 (2nd ed.), Budapest, CEU.
-
Justice systems and implementation of judgments
- 22 April 2025 – Exchange of views on Infringements procedures and the implementation of judgments from the ECHR and the CJEU on fundamental rights and the Rule of Law (PDF - 155 KB)
- 22 April 2025 - Recordings of the DRFMG meeting
- 15 October 2025 – Exchange of views with AG Ćapeta on the ‘European values’ Case (PDF - 172 KB)
-
Democracy and media pluralism
- 14 January 2025 - Exchange of views on Access to information, disinformation and foreign interference in the media space and Media freedom, security and ownership (PDF - 160 KB)
- 18 March 2025 - LIBE/EUDS meeting on Challenges posed by AI, social media and digital platforms to democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights (PDF - 171 KB)
- 18 March 2025 - Recordings of the LIBE/EUDS meeting
-
Fundamental rights and civil society