The Systemic Deficit in the EU, with a response by Luca De Lucia

The current EU crisis is not only financial. Most importantly, it also affects the founding principles of the Union as set out in Article 2 TEU. In particular, one principle that has served as the cornerstone of European integration appears to be especially under threat: the rule of law. Due to endemic corruption, weak institutional capacities, or insufficient resources at the administrative or judicial levels, some EU Member States are so gravely deficient in guaranteeing the rule of law that their conformity to basic EU standards may be seriously called into question. This article seeks to contribute to the discussion on the subject by developing the concept of “systemic deficit” in the rule of law.