European Commission and Secretariat-General 17 July 2026, COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 2026 Rule of Law Report Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Germany Accompanying the document Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions 2026 Rule of Law Report The rule of law situation in the European Union

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This European Commission Staff Working Document constitutes the 2026 Rule of Law Report country chapter for Germany, assessing the rule of law situation across four pillars: justice system, anti-corruption framework, media pluralism and freedom, and checks and balances. The report identifies significant progress on judicial resources through the new Pact for the Rule of Law (Pakt für den Rechtsstaat) providing EUR 240 million in federal funding for approximately 2,000 new judicial posts, while noting persistent deficiencies in the legislative footprint (Lobby-Fußabdruck), the tax-exempt status of non-profit organisations, and the codification of press access rights vis-à-vis federal authorities. The Commission issues four recommendations, including advancing implementation of the Pact for the Rule of Law, strengthening lobbying transparency in the legislative process, establishing a statutory right of press access to federal authorities, and adapting the tax-exempt status for non-profit organisations in accordance with European standards.AI