Rule of law in Poland debated in Strasbourg

Speaking in the European Parliament during a debate on the rule of law situation in Poland, Timmermans also said the independence of the Constitutional Tribunal should be reinstated and that the powers of the Polish justice minister in nominating the heads of courts should be revoked, the PAP news agency reported.

Timmermans on Wednesday said judicial reforms planned in Poland would show whether the country wanted to respect the rule of law.

Polish Member of European Parliament Ryszard Legutko, who hails from the Law and Justice party which governs in Poland, accused the European Commission of not wanting a dialogue with Poland and of giving the country unfounded ultimatums.

Polish MEP Janusz Lewandowski, from the Civic Platform party, Poland’s largest opposition grouping, said the Polish government was going against the national interest and was leading the country to become isolated.

The European Parliament convened to discuss the rule of law situation in Poland before voting on a resolution.

The parliament is expected to start the process to trigger “Article Seven”, which may result in Poland having certain rights suspended, the European Parliament said on its website.

Sanctions against the country would be the maximum possible penalty. But these would need European Union member states’ unanimous backing, and Hungary has pledged to side with Poland.

Brussels first became concerned with the rule of law situation in Poland after the country’s government introduced sweeping changes to the Constitutional Tribunal.

Tensions with Warsaw were exacerbated by logging in Poland's Białowieża forest, which Brussels said breaches European Union habitats and birds directives, and by Polish judicial reforms in summer.

President Andrzej Duda in late July vetoed two of three controversial government-backed bills that would have given politicians sweeping powers in appointing and dismissing court judges.

But the president said changes to the justice system were needed and Prime Minister Beata Szydło has pledged to push through the reforms. (vb/pk)

Source: PAP