European Court of Justice

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) is the highest court in the European Union. It interprets EU law to ensure it is applied the same way in all EU countries, and settles legal disputes between national governments and EU institutions. The ECJ is newsworthy due to several recent developments. Firstly, its top advisor stated that the European Commission should not have unfrozen billions of euros in payments to Hungary, citing concerns over corruption and the rule of law. This challenges the Commission's decision and raises questions about the disbursement of EU funds. Secondly, the ECJ has ruled that Denmark's 'ghetto law,' which targets 'parallel societies,' may be unlawful. This ruling could lead to the law being struck down in Danish courts. Finally, EU lawmakers are voting to hold up the Mercosur trade agreement over legal concerns. These events highlight the ECJ's role in overseeing EU law, challenging national policies, and influencing international trade agreements.