Nino Tsereteli
@ninotsereteli.bsky.social
PhD in Law (UiO), Research Officer at Democracy Reporting International. Rule of Law enthusiast from Georgia, now based in Berlin. Learning German and mastering patience with bureaucracy. Focused on courts, civic space, strategies for resisting autocracy.
Some countries are stuck in the “almost there” zone. They show some/significant progress on most recommendations but fall short of full implementation. Poland is one example, but the list is long. Yes, reform takes time. But it is problematic if "almost there" becomes the default year after year. 4/
July 10, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Some countries are stuck in the “almost there” zone. They show some/significant progress on most recommendations but fall short of full implementation. Poland is one example, but the list is long. Yes, reform takes time. But it is problematic if "almost there" becomes the default year after year. 4/
Hungary has made NO PROGRESS with 7 out of 8 recommendations; Bulgaria – 4 out of 6, Slovakia – 5 out of 7, Italy – 3 out of 6, Romania and Malta – 3 out of 7. 3/
July 10, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Hungary has made NO PROGRESS with 7 out of 8 recommendations; Bulgaria – 4 out of 6, Slovakia – 5 out of 7, Italy – 3 out of 6, Romania and Malta – 3 out of 7. 3/
Only 57% of recommendations from 2024 were fully or partially implemented. This includes: 18% with significant progress or full compliance (note: full compliance share is even smaller),39% with some (vague) progress. Of the remaining 43%: 14% showed limited progress, 29% - no progress at all. 2/
July 10, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Only 57% of recommendations from 2024 were fully or partially implemented. This includes: 18% with significant progress or full compliance (note: full compliance share is even smaller),39% with some (vague) progress. Of the remaining 43%: 14% showed limited progress, 29% - no progress at all. 2/
The European Commission dropped its annual Rule of Law report on July 8 — there’s a lot to read and digest. The implementation stats aren’t exactly impressive but dig a little deeper and the picture gets more concerning. A few immediate reflections: 🧵 1/
July 10, 2025 at 11:19 AM
The European Commission dropped its annual Rule of Law report on July 8 — there’s a lot to read and digest. The implementation stats aren’t exactly impressive but dig a little deeper and the picture gets more concerning. A few immediate reflections: 🧵 1/
OSCE has urged that judges choose their peers for the council. However, this raises a larger question: can we reduce political control without creating new concentrations of judicial power that could also be potentially abused? 13/
July 3, 2025 at 1:22 PM
OSCE has urged that judges choose their peers for the council. However, this raises a larger question: can we reduce political control without creating new concentrations of judicial power that could also be potentially abused? 13/
It is not the first time Spanish judiciary has made headlines. June 2024's deal unblocked appointments to the judicial council after a 5-year deadlock, with promises to reduce political influence by reforming the process of appointing its members. But this reform is still in development. 12/
July 3, 2025 at 1:22 PM
It is not the first time Spanish judiciary has made headlines. June 2024's deal unblocked appointments to the judicial council after a 5-year deadlock, with promises to reduce political influence by reforming the process of appointing its members. But this reform is still in development. 12/
That said, the Spanish judiciary isn't perfect. Access remains unequal — for example, the informal prep system for judicial exams (coaching by sitting judges) limits access and shapes judicial culture in ways that aren't always ideal. 6/
July 3, 2025 at 1:22 PM
That said, the Spanish judiciary isn't perfect. Access remains unequal — for example, the informal prep system for judicial exams (coaching by sitting judges) limits access and shapes judicial culture in ways that aren't always ideal. 6/
Some critics see the need for reform, but flag risks in the details, while others (mainly judges) argue that the system works fine as it is. 3/
July 3, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Some critics see the need for reform, but flag risks in the details, while others (mainly judges) argue that the system works fine as it is. 3/
Spanish judges have been making noise. The government's proposed judicial reform has sparked controversy—some view it as long overdue, while others perceive it as a threat to judicial independence. What's actually at stake? Who's right? Who's wrong? 🧵1/
July 3, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Spanish judges have been making noise. The government's proposed judicial reform has sparked controversy—some view it as long overdue, while others perceive it as a threat to judicial independence. What's actually at stake? Who's right? Who's wrong? 🧵1/
Looking at draft resolution, good to see: (a) ongoing focus on the problem of non-compliance with CJEU rulings; (b) call to add a new pillar on discrimination to the rule of law report. (c) reference to monitoring EU institutions' own rule of law performance.
May 20, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Looking at draft resolution, good to see: (a) ongoing focus on the problem of non-compliance with CJEU rulings; (b) call to add a new pillar on discrimination to the rule of law report. (c) reference to monitoring EU institutions' own rule of law performance.
Today the European Parliament’s LIBE Committee is scheduled to vote on the draft resolution regarding the Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law report. The draft shows familiar concerns regarding the quality of the report and even a stronger emphasis on the use of enforcement tools. #RuleOfLaw #EU #EP 🧵1/
May 20, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Today the European Parliament’s LIBE Committee is scheduled to vote on the draft resolution regarding the Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law report. The draft shows familiar concerns regarding the quality of the report and even a stronger emphasis on the use of enforcement tools. #RuleOfLaw #EU #EP 🧵1/
Another pattern: states formally comply with CJEU rulings by repealing a law or order in question—then introduce a similar one not yet challenged. E.g. after repealing one law targeting civil society, Hungary passed new ones, including the most recent one expanding government powers to ban CSOs. 5/
May 19, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Another pattern: states formally comply with CJEU rulings by repealing a law or order in question—then introduce a similar one not yet challenged. E.g. after repealing one law targeting civil society, Hungary passed new ones, including the most recent one expanding government powers to ban CSOs. 5/
We (DRI) are finalizing data collection on compliance with the CJEU rulings in EU Member States. We'll cover the rulings issued between 1 January 2019 and 1 January 2025. The report will be launched in summer. It is the 3rd edition providing updated data. Some preliminary reflections here: 🧵1/
May 19, 2025 at 10:13 AM
We (DRI) are finalizing data collection on compliance with the CJEU rulings in EU Member States. We'll cover the rulings issued between 1 January 2019 and 1 January 2025. The report will be launched in summer. It is the 3rd edition providing updated data. Some preliminary reflections here: 🧵1/
A few days ago, the Federal Judges Association, the largest such organization in the US, issued a rare public statement decrying “irresponsible rhetoric shrouded in disinformation” that could undermine public confidence in the judiciary. 9/
March 12, 2025 at 7:40 AM
A few days ago, the Federal Judges Association, the largest such organization in the US, issued a rare public statement decrying “irresponsible rhetoric shrouded in disinformation” that could undermine public confidence in the judiciary. 9/
While according to Eurobarometer, perceived levels of judicial independence in Italy are relatively low, judges’ ruling against governmental preferences and in line with the CJEU case law seems to indicate the opposite - the willingness of courts to constrain the government and defend EU values. 5/
March 12, 2025 at 7:40 AM
While according to Eurobarometer, perceived levels of judicial independence in Italy are relatively low, judges’ ruling against governmental preferences and in line with the CJEU case law seems to indicate the opposite - the willingness of courts to constrain the government and defend EU values. 5/
Hostile rhetoric towards judges is not necessarily new in Italy. As highlighted by scholars, Berlusconi's anti-judicial rhetoric has had a significant impact on public attitudes towards the judiciary and contributed to exacerbating the polarization between two opposite views of the justice. 3/
March 12, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Hostile rhetoric towards judges is not necessarily new in Italy. As highlighted by scholars, Berlusconi's anti-judicial rhetoric has had a significant impact on public attitudes towards the judiciary and contributed to exacerbating the polarization between two opposite views of the justice. 3/
Similarly, Elon Musk and other Trump allies have called for the impeachment of US judges who have overruled parts of Trump’s agenda. A few months back, Musk called for removing Italian judges deciding on migration cases, emboldening Italian politicians. 2/
March 12, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Similarly, Elon Musk and other Trump allies have called for the impeachment of US judges who have overruled parts of Trump’s agenda. A few months back, Musk called for removing Italian judges deciding on migration cases, emboldening Italian politicians. 2/
It is striking how autocratically inclined governments, and their allies have converged in attacking judges, using the same rhetoric and supporting one another. Hostile rhetoric towards judges has become increasingly evident in Italy, especially in response to court decisions on migration cases. 🧵1/
March 12, 2025 at 7:40 AM
It is striking how autocratically inclined governments, and their allies have converged in attacking judges, using the same rhetoric and supporting one another. Hostile rhetoric towards judges has become increasingly evident in Italy, especially in response to court decisions on migration cases. 🧵1/
Coe Parliamentary Assembly ratified credentials of the Georgian delegation provisionally on condition that Georgian Dream staying in power through election fraud creates an environment for genuinely democratic NEW elections, ends police brutality/human rights abuses. pace.coe.int/pdf/73b6dc17...
January 29, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Coe Parliamentary Assembly ratified credentials of the Georgian delegation provisionally on condition that Georgian Dream staying in power through election fraud creates an environment for genuinely democratic NEW elections, ends police brutality/human rights abuses. pace.coe.int/pdf/73b6dc17...
Some reflections of mine on Georgia post-elections: about judicial impotence in handling allegations of electoral fraud, public resistance and need for external engagement to defend democracy: verfassungsblog.de/georgia-elec...
November 21, 2024 at 3:13 PM
Some reflections of mine on Georgia post-elections: about judicial impotence in handling allegations of electoral fraud, public resistance and need for external engagement to defend democracy: verfassungsblog.de/georgia-elec...