REALaw Forum 2026

Under the overarching theme “Accountability under pressure: contemporary features of the reason of state”, the REALaw Forum 2026 critically examines the evolving relationship between the notion of “reason of state”, executive discretion and the rule of law in contemporary legal orders. Through comparative and doctrinal perspectives, it explores how public authorities respond to challenges linked to economic governance, national security, crisis management and expert-driven policymaking, and how traditional mechanisms of judicial and political oversight are reshaped in this context. Particular attention is given to the role of courts, the transformation of political responsibility, the legal implications of emergency governance and the contemporary revival of reason of state. Taken together, the discussions provide a structured reflection on the resilience of accountability and legality in European democratic systems.