International newsletter | July-August 2026
IN BRIEF
In July 2026, the European Commission published the seventh edition of its Rule of Law Report, which examines developments in the rule of law across all Member States and in four candidate countries (Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia). In July, the European Commission also released the results of two Eurobarometer surveys carried out in the Spring 2026. The European Parliament published three reports examining the progress made by Serbia, Moldova and Ukraine in their EU accession processes.
In August 2026, Hungary officially became the 25th member state of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and Spain adopted its first national framework regulating lobbying vis-à-vis public officials.
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
European Commission
On 1 July 2026, the European Commission published the results of its Spring 2026 Eurobarometer survey, according to which more than 75% of European citizens regard the European Union (EU) as ‘a place of stability in a troubled world’. More than 90% of those surveyed believe that the EU needs to be more united in the face of current global challenges, and 68% want it to play a greater role in protecting citizens from global crises and security risks. More than 59% of them are satisfied with the way democracy works within the EU, which matches the record high recorded in 2022. On July 13 2026, the European Commission published a Eurobarometer survey on the EU’s challenges and priorities. Regarding the topic of democracy, for the citizens surveyed, freedom of expression (34%), the holding of free and fair elections (32%), respect for the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights (31%) are the most important elements of a democratic society. (Europa.eu, 1 July 2026), (Europa.eu, 13 July 2026)
On 17 July 2026, the European Commission published its seventh Rule of Law Report, which examines developments in the rule of law across the 27 Member States. This document also includes chapters on Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, in order to report on the progress made by these countries as part of their respective processes of accession to the European Union.
The 2026 report highlights continued progress in most Member States, with significant reforms having been completed or currently underway in the four areas assessed: justice systems, anti-corruption frameworks, media freedom and pluralism, and other institutional issues related to checks and balances.
With regard to the fight against corruption, the report highlights the adoption of the directive on combating corruption on 31 May 2026 and shows that several Member States have drawn up new anti-corruption strategies and strengthened their institutional capacities. Nevertheless, it emphasises the need for further measures to strengthen preventive frameworks, such as those dedicated to lobbying and conflicts of interest.
The pace of implementation of the recommendations has slowed slightly compared with previous years, with 47% the recommendations made in 2025 having been fully or partially implemented (compared with 57% for the 2025 report and 68% for the 2024 report). (European Commission, 17 July 2026)
European Ombudswoman
The European Ombudswoman has awarded its prize for excellence in open administration to the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission for their legislative tracking tool, EU Law Tracker. The award celebrates projects by EU institutions, bodies or agencies that uphold and promote a culture of good administration in the EU and have a positive impact on the lives of citizens. The ‘Law Tracker’, launched by these three institutions in collaboration with the Publications Office, is an online tool that brings together in one place all relevant information on the progress of EU law-making. It thus enables citizens to follow the EU legislative process from start to finish via an intuitive timeline, with direct access to related documents. (General Secretariat of the Council, 1 July 2026)
On 2 July 2026, following a complaint lodged by the NGO Corporate Europe Observatory, the European Ombudswoman opened an inquiry to examine how the European Commission ensures that the ‘reality check’ meetings it holds with stakeholders comply with transparency requirements in decision-making. ‘Reality checks’ are a new consultation tool used in particular in the preparation of the ‘Omnibus’ simplification packages, through which the Commission seeks information directly from stakeholders to identify the practical obstacles they face when implementing EU rules. The Commission considers that, insofar as these ‘reality checks’ constitute direct and specific requests for factual information, data or expertise, they are exempt from the transparency rules applicable to meetings between the Commission and lobbyists. The European Ombudswoman’s investigation is intended to determine whether such meetings remain within the scope of gathering factual information or whether, in practice, they are akin to broader consultations to which the transparency rules would apply. The Commission must submit, by 18 September 2026, a list of the ‘reality checks’ carried out in 2025 and 2026. (European Ombudswoman, 8 July 2026)
On 18 August 2026, the European Ombudswoman opened an inquiry into how the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade (DG TRADE) handles interactions with tobacco lobbyists. The inquiry follows a complaint lodged by a civil society organisation specialised in the fight against tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. The organisation argues, in particular, that DG TRADE engaged in regular, unnecessary and non-transparent interactions with the tobacco industry. As a first step in the inquiry, the Ombudswoman has requested access to the Commission’s internal documents concerning its interactions with the tobacco industry. (European Ombudswoman, 20 August 2026)
European Parliament
On 8 July 2026, the European Parliament adopted several reports reviewing the progress made by Serbia, Moldova and Ukraine in their EU accession processes.
MEPs considered that the gap between Serbia’s legislative alignment with European rules and its actual implementation of reforms is undermining the country’s progress towards EU membership. They regretted the lack of progress in the ‘fundamentals’ chapter group and called on Serbia to make credible progress in combating the manipulation of information and foreign and domestic interference. (European Parliament, 8 July 2026)
MEPs highlighted the Moldovan government’s progress on EU-related reforms, despite significant internal and external challenges. They welcomed the opening of accession negotiations on the ‘fundamentals’ cluster, which covers the judiciary and fundamental rights, freedom and security, and financial control. They called on EU Member States within the Council to open all negotiation chapters. The parliamentary report notes the European Commission’s assessment that Moldova has made good progress in reforming the justice sector and in preventing and combating corruption. However, MEPs emphasise the continuing Russian pressure on and interference in Moldova’s internal affairs and democratic processes. They called on Member States to strengthen their support for Moldova’s institutional resilience. (European Parliament, 8 July 2026)
Assessing Ukraine’s progress on reforms relating to its EU membership application process, the Parliament welcomed the opening of the ‘fundamentals’ chapter in June 2026 and hoped that the subsequent chapters will be opened soon. MEPs called for a constructive discussion on how to advance Ukraine’s European integration, while considering the EU’s strategic interests. They highlighted the progress made by Ukraine in judicial reform and the fight against corruption, whilst calling for further reforms in these areas. (European Parliament, 8 July 2026)
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
Council of Europe
On 1 July 2026, the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) published its 5th evaluation round report regarding the prevention of corruption and the promotion of integrity within central government and law enforcement agencies for Lithuania. This report concludes the evaluation of Lithuania and notes the satisfactory implementation of 13 of the 17 recommendations it had made in the evaluation report adopted in 2021. GRECO welcomes the extension of the practical guidelines on the Code of Conduct for State Politicians, which now applies to the President. It highlights efforts to foster a culture of integrity in the public sector through regular training for senior civil servants. Other positive developments include the introduction of harmonised rules for the registration of gifts received by public officials and the more detailed reporting of lobbying activities targeting persons entrusted with top executive functions (PTEFs). With regard to law enforcement agencies, GRECO highlights, in particular, the regulatory and procedural improvements promoting a more uniform application of the Police Code of Ethics. Further improvements are nevertheless needed. The responsibilities of the Chief Official Ethics Commission need to be more clearly defined with regard to verifying private interest declarations of senior government officials and investigating possible integrity-related breaches. Efforts are also expected in relation to sanctions for breaches of ethical and integrity rules, as well as in the management of potential conflicts of interest in the context of post-employment (revolving door) risks for former law enforcement officers. (GRECO, 1 July 2026)
On 6 July 2026, GRECO published its first compliance report for the 5th evaluation round concerning Italy, in which it concluded that the country had satisfactorily addressed only one of the 19 recommendations set out in the initial evaluation report. 13 recommendations have been partially implemented and 5 recommendations have not been implemented. With regard to senior executive officials, GRECO welcomes the fact that the integrity framework applicable to ministers’ advisers has been strengthened through the adoption of a code of conduct, along with awareness-raising and enforcement measures. The adoption by the Chamber of Deputies in first reading of a Parliamentary bill on lobbying, which intends to introduce more transparency in contacts between persons with top executive functions and lobbyists, also represents progress. Further efforts are still required, particularly with regard to the integrity framework applicable to ministers and state secretaries. With regard to law enforcement agencies, GRECO welcomes the progress made in terms of gender balance and notes several advances concerning codes of conduct and training and advisory mechanisms on ethical matters. Italy must submit a report to GRECO by 31 December 2027 on the implementation of the outstanding recommendations. (GRECO, 6 July 2026)
On 16 July 2026, GRECO published its first compliance report for the 5th evaluation round concerning Armenia, in which it concluded that the country had satisfactorily implemented 6 of the 22 recommendations contained in the 5th round evaluation report. Of the 16 outstanding recommendations, 15 have been partially implemented and one has not been implemented. With regard to senior executive positions, GRECO welcomes Armenia’s consideration of all the recommendations and the measures adopted concerning the regulation of the conduct of PTEFs, transparency in the procurement of ceremonial expenses, participation of civil society, lobbying, and the prevention of conflicts of interest. With regard to law enforcement agencies, GRECO acknowledges the progress made by Armenia, in particular concerning police transparency and communication, the adoption of an anti-corruption action plan, the training of police officers and investigations into professional misconduct by police officers. Further efforts are still needed to fully implement the recommendations, with particular attention to be paid to the recommendation concerning the Ombudsperson’s role in protecting whistleblowers, which is the only recommendation not yet implemented. GRECO invites Armenia to submit additional information on the implementation of the outstanding recommendations by 31 December 2027. (GRECO, 16 July 2026)
On 18 August 2026, GRECO published its second compliance report for the 5th round concerning Serbia, in which it concluded that the country had satisfactorily implemented 3 of the 24 recommendations set out in the initial report. Of the remaining 21 recommendations, 10 have been partially implemented and 11 have not yet been implemented. With regard to persons entrusted with top executive functions, GRECO notes the adoption and publication of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024–2028 but regrets that the specific document on the prevention of corruption amongst PTEFs, referred to in the National Strategy, has not yet been drawn up. As regards the police, concrete results have been achieved, notably through continuous training on issues relating to integrity and whistleblower protection, reaching a considerable number of police officers. GRECO concludes that Serbia is not in sufficient compliance with the recommendations contained in the 5th round evaluation report and that the country must submit, by 30 June 2027, a report on the progress made in implementing the outstanding recommendations. (GRECO, 18 August 2026)
On 20 August 2026, GRECO published an evaluation report on the United Kingdom as part of its 6th evaluation round on the prevention of corruption and the promotion of integrity at sub-national level. The report focuses primarily on the Greater London Authority and Kent County Council, which volunteered to take part in the evaluation. It examines the institutional structures and regulatory frameworks designed to prevent corruption and promote integrity, as well as their practical implementation both at national level and within the two selected local authorities. It highlights a range of good practices observed within the Greater London Authority and Kent County Council, including: the regular review and updating of anti-corruption policies; open and collaborative information sharing; robust public procurement procedures; enforceable codes of conduct; detailed policies and procedures on gifts and hospitality, the use of data matching to detect undeclared interests, comprehensive guidelines on lobbying, whistleblowing policies with clearly designated points of contact, and proactive publication and public consultation practices. As further progress is still required, GRECO recommends introducing clearer and more effective sanctions in the event of breaches of codes of conduct by elected officials; making the newly established local audit office fully operational; enhancing transparency regarding lobbying; providing confidential integrity counselling for employees and increasing integrity training for councillors; legally formalising the obligation to publish gifts and hospitality received by councillors and ensuring that, when no gift or hospitality is received, this is explicitly referenced online. GRECO has invited the UK authorities to submit, by 31 December 2027, a report on the measures taken to implement its recommendations. (GRECO, 20 August 2026)
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
On 16 July 2026, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published a policy brief providing an overview of data relating to the implementation of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, from its entry into force in 1999 up to 31 December 2025. The data distinguishes between acts of bribery of foreign public officials and other offences covered by the Convention, in particular accounting misconduct and money laundering related to the bribery of foreign public officials. Thus, over this period, with regard to cases that have been the subject of a final decision in criminal proceedings, 26 States Parties to the Convention have convicted or sanctioned at least 768 natural persons and 321 legal persons for acts of transnational corruption. In administrative or civil proceedings, 8 States Parties imposed sanctions on at least 99 natural persons and 135 legal persons for such offences. With regard to cases pending as at 31 December 2025, 480 investigations into foreign bribery are being conducted in the 26 States Parties, and 18 States Parties have reported that they have initiated criminal proceedings for such offences against 242 natural persons and 38 legal persons. (OECD, 16 July 2026)
EUROPE
Spain
On 26 August 2026, the Council of Ministers adopted the Royal Decree-Law on Transparency and Integrity of the Activities of Interest Groups. This text was published in the Spanish Official State Gazette following its approval on 25 August 2026. It is the first national framework governing relations between interest groups and public officials within the general state administration and its institutional public sector. The decree provides for the creation of a public and mandatory register. The management and supervision of this register are entrusted to the Council of Transparency and Good Governance, an independent administrative authority responsible for ensuring access to public information and transparency at the level of the Spanish State. This law must now be ratified by the Congress of Deputies within thirty days of its promulgation. (Council of Transparency and Good Governance, 27 August 2026)
Montenegro
On 14 August 2026, the Montenegrin Parliament adopted constitutional amendments aimed at strengthening the framework for combating corruption and the independence of the judiciary. They provide for the lifting of criminal immunity for ministers prosecuted for corruption, organised crime and abuse of office, thereby allowing prosecutions to proceed without prior parliamentary approval. They also impose integrity checks on individuals nominated for government posts: any candidate for a ministerial post will be required to undergo a vetting process involving checks on their assets, tax history and conflicts of interest. These laws also restructure the Judicial Council and the Council of Prosecutors of Montenegro by ending political appointments in favour of election by peers and introducing a single, non-renewable term of office. The constitutional independence of the Central Bank has been explicitly enshrined, with a prohibition on receiving instructions from the Government. The Anti-Corruption Agency (ASK) has been granted direct access to land, banking and tax registers without a court order, as well as enhanced powers to impose administrative sanctions. Following the adoption of these reforms, the European Union has released €3.2 billion in pre-accession aid for the country for the period 2026–2027. (European Western Balkans, 25 August 2026)
Hungary
On 28 July 2026, the Hungarian Parliament approved the creation of a new agency tasked with combating corruption, the National Authority for the Recovery and Protection of State Assets (NVVH), whose objective is to protect public assets, expose and recover state assets that have been misappropriated. This independent body is responsible for tracing and recovering misappropriated public assets, as well as identifying the civil servants who facilitated such abuses. It reports on its activities to Parliament and is empowered to examine financial and administrative documents, conduct investigations and refer cases to the judicial authorities for possible prosecution. On 28 August 2026, the Hungarian Parliament elected political analyst Anna Unger as head of this institution. (Euractiv, 28 August 2026)
On 2 August 2026, Hungary officially joined the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, thereby becoming the 25th Member State to join this independent body of the European Union responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to trial the perpetrators of criminal offences affecting the Union’s financial interests. The Hungarian authorities must now put forward three candidates for the post of European Public Prosecutor for Hungary. The Council of the EU will appoint one of them, following the advice of an independent committee. Hungary’s accession to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is part of the ongoing reforms aimed at combating corruption, which Prime Minister Peter Magyar has been pursuing since coming to power in April 2026. (Europa.eu, 10 July 2026)