The "Francisco Tomás y Valiente" Cultural Chair and the Faculty of Law are organizing this seminar, which will be held in the Board Room of the aforementioned Faculty on January 28, 2026, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm.

The seminar examines democratic backsliding in the European Union through an analysis of the rule of law crisis in Poland and Hungary. It focuses on how gradual institutional changes, particularly in the judiciary, constitutional courts, media regulation, and migration management, have undermined basic democratic safeguards while remaining formally within the language of law.

The seminar explores the EU's response to democratic backsliding, with particular attention to Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union. It critically assesses both the stages of the procedure, its political constraints, and its limited effectiveness, drawing lessons from the initiation and eventual conclusion of the procedure against Poland in 2024, in contrast to the protracted and unresolved case of Hungary. Key decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Union on judicial independence are also examined.,

The disciplinary regimes for judges and the primacy of Community law are also examined.

States of emergency, restrictions on journalists, setbacks, and the recent suspension of asylum rights are analyzed, highlighting the tensions between national security and constitutional, European and international narratives.

Combining legal analysis with the political context, the seminar invites participants to reflect on the limits of EU enforcement mechanisms and consider whether the Union can effectively protect democracy and the rule of law in an era of overlapping constitutional, migration, and geopolitical crises.

Academic Director: Luis Javier Capote Pérez. Contracted Professor of Civil Law at the University of La Laguna.

CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE: The University of La Laguna, through the Vice-Rectorate for Culture and University Extension, will issue a certificate of attendance to all those who participate, after prior registration in the activity.

Free assistance upon prior registration. Check out the program and register here.

Contact: extuni@ull.es

In collaboration with: Aula Cultural «Radio Campus».