EC's Rule of Law report identifies shortcomings in implementing Czech anti-corruption strategy

Over the past year, the Czech Republic has made advances in reforming its judicial system, but is still struggling to effectively deal with conflicts of interest on the level of government, according to the European Commission’s Rule of Law Report published this Tuesday.

The executive organ of the European Union also identifies shortcomings in implementing the Czech government’s anti-corruption strategy, which is dependent on new legislation in the areas of lobbying and whistle-blower protection.

Overall, the report states that conditions for an independent judiciary, media pluralism and the fight against corruption have deteriorated in some member states since last year. Criticism is levelled against Hungary (state of the media, corruption) and Poland (judicial reform) in particular.