Professor Raitio: 'The Rule of Law may be Sidelined as the EU Safeguards its Newfound Unity'

In an interview with Petter Gröning of the University of Helsinki, Professor Juha Raitio expresses his concern over the sidelining of rule of law concerns and other foundational EU values as the EU strives to protect its unity, reinforced as a result of the war in Ukraine.

Professor Raitio emphasises that the rule of law is not a rhetorical balloon or something each Member State defines for themselves, but rather a distinctive EU law concept with normative force, as affirmed by the ECJ in its February ruling approving the Conditionality Regulation. Additionally, he discusses the use of the EU recovery funds to support Poland and Hungary who, having recently clashed with the EU over the rule of law, now require financial support as they accommodate Ukrainians fleeing the war. Also discussed is the upcoming Hungarian parliamentary election, with regards to which Professor Raitio notes that regardless of the electoral outcome, turning the course of Hungary's rule of law backsliding will be a long and arduous process. 

To read the entire article (in Finnish), please click here.