Today, the European Commission published its sixth annual Rule of Law Report. The EESC President and the EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law Group welcome the new Single Market dimension, which highlights rule of law issues affecting business, especially SMEs. They argue this addition strengthens the case for closer cooperation between the Commission and the EESC on the rule of law review mechanism. However, the EESC would have preferred to establish a fifth pillar on the economic dimension of the Rule of law. They also urge EU institutions to ensure that upcoming MFF negotiations better support civil society and deliver smart conditionality that addresses rule of law breaches without harming the population.