Deputy FM downplays potential EU resolution on Poland

Szymański added that it is unlikely the European Commission would want to impose sanctions against Poland because the political effects of such a move would be too painful.

"It would break up the cohesion of the European Union," he told Polish Radio.

A European Parliament resolution on the observance of the rule of law in Poland is expected to be voted on at the end of April.

Such a move had been considered in January but there was not enough backing for it at the time.

Asked by Polish Radio what the consequences would be of the European Parliament adopting a resolution on Poland, Szymański said: “No direct” consequences.

He added: “The [European] parliament often adopts a political stance. It wants to express its opinion.”

Row over Constitutional Tribunal

Szymański suggested the Polish opposition had been agitating for a European Parliament resolution against Poland.

“In this case the [Polish ] opposition really wants to find a useful tool to further internationalize an internal issue – the political and legal row over the tribunal.”

The Venice Commission, an advisory group to rights body the Council of Europe, published recommendations on 11 March calling for Poland to publish a ruling by the country’s Constitutional Tribunal.

But Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło has refused to publish the ruling, thus preventing it from being binding.

Szydło argued that the ruling – which rejects reforms to the court pushed through by Poland’s conservative Law and Justice party after it swept to power in October – was itself unconstitutional.

The European Commission in January launched an inquiry into whether Poland is upholding the principle of the rule of law and whether controversial legislation pushed through by the Law and Justice government violates EU standards. (pk)

Source: Polish Radio