The publication today of the latest monitoring report by the European Commission on the state of judicial reform and fight against corruption in Romania and Bulgaria highlights ongoing concerns in both. The report on Romania comes at a time of heightened political tension in the country following a recent change in government and a number of controversial measures.

Guy Verhofstadt, ALDE group leader in the European Parliament, said:

"It is both the competence and the duty of the European Commission, as defender of the Treaties and the democratic principles that underpin our Union to closely monitor developments which threaten the Rule of Law and the checks and balances that govern our democracies.

"The political climate in Romania is extremely polarised and impeding good government. Only the Commission is in a position to give a clear and objective assessment. We welcome that it did respond to our appeal last week to do so and that the Romanian Prime Minister has responded swiftly and constructively to the recommendations. They should waste no time in making good any measure which overstepped the Rule of Law."

"The Commission though has a broader mandate, namely to oversee respect for the fundamental principles of democracy and Rule of Law in all Member States on a constant basis, not just for the newest Member States subject to a specific monitoring mechanism.  We have seen in country after country such as Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy and Greece how standards of good governance have slipped and allowed to get out of control. The principles enshrined in the Treaty need to be properly and consistently enforced through a concrete, systematic and transparent legal mechanism to avoid such issues being dictated by political pressure."