Rule of Law Report 2025

Europe’s democratic recession has deepened in 2024, the Liberties Rule of Law Report has found. Countries regarded as democratic strongholds are sliding towards authoritarian tendencies and the European Union’s minimal use of its rule of law toolbox has barely made a dent.

In its sixth edition since 2019, the 1000-page Report identifies the most striking infringements of justice, corruption, media freedom, checks and balances, civic space and human rights in the European Union in 2024. The comprehensive analysis, a collaboration of 43 human rights organisations from 21 EU countries coordinated by the Civil Liberties Union For Europe (Liberties), is the most in-depth ‘shadow reporting’ exercise on the rule of law to date by an independent civil liberties network. The report findings feed into the rule of law monitoring cycle of the European Commission, and contributing organisations present local insights during this year’s country visits. The Peace Institute contributed to the report for Slovenia.

Key findings for Slovenia:

Media Environment and Media Freedom

In 2024, progress was made regarding the regulatory framework for safeguarding media pluralism and freedom. Additionally, RTV Slovenia’s licence fee increase was approved. However, remaining challenges include media concentration, the public broadcaster’s financial crisis, inadequate protection of journalists, and sustainability risks for quality news media.

In 2024, progress was made in developing legislative safeguards for journalists’ protection, including a ban on intrusive surveillance software on devices used by journalists (in the media bill) and protection against SLAPP lawsuits (in the anti-SLAPP bill outline). However, no other safeguards were provided. The government increased the RTV Slovenia licence fee. Slovenian Press Agency financing was overhauled in the new media bill. However, no legislative safeguards were adopted to secure long-term independent and de-politicised funding for public service media.

Checks and Balances

The year 2024 was marked by the National Assembly adopting an amendment to the election law granting both active and passive voting rights in elections to persons deprived of legal capacity. On the negative side, like in the past, the government often failed to respect the relevant national provisions governing the duration of public consultations in the process of adopting laws and regulations.

Civic Space

A major 2023 public call for funding the NGO sector was marred by controversy and was annulled in 2024. As a result, successful applicants have been left without awarded funds, so some of them sued the state. Although less frequently, compared to 2023, participants in the 2024 Ljubljana Pride Parade again faced violence. The largest opposition party, winner of the 2024 EP election, and its media ecosystem continued to portray CSOs as being without value for society or blamed them for societal problems.

Disregard of Human Rights Obligations and Other Systemic Issues Affecting the Rule of Law Environment

No major changes have been identified in the field of migration and asylum (procedures, accommodation, reception conditions, integration). Overcrowding of prisons remains a problem, and there is an extremely high percentage of foreigners imprisoned based on Art. 308 of the Criminal Code. Issues persist related to the erased and other long-term tolerated foreigners residing in Slovenia for years or decades (regarding the acquisition of permanent residency permits), statelessness, and the Roma minority.