EU To Terminate Sanctions Procedure Against Poland.
By Caroline Ameh
The European Commission has announced its intention to terminate the sanctions procedure against Poland following assurances from the new government led by Donald Tusk to reinstate judicial independence. This decision marks a significant development in the ongoing dispute between Poland and the EU over concerns regarding the rule of law.
In a statement released on Monday, the EU executive stated that it no longer perceives “a clear risk of a serious breach of the rule of law in Poland.”
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, commended Tusk and his administration for this pivotal breakthrough, emphasizing the importance of restoring the rule of law for both the Polish people and the entire union.
Donald Tusk, a former Polish prime minister and European Council president, assumed office in October after winning the election. His government presented an action plan in February aimed at addressing concerns raised by the EU and the European Court of Justice regarding the independence of the judiciary.
Key measures include the election of judge members of Poland’s national council of the judiciary through a secret ballot, safeguarding the independence of the supreme court, and ensuring that Polish judges are not penalized for following EU law.
The European Commission cited the implementation of these measures and Poland’s decision to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office as factors contributing to its decision to withdraw the sanctions procedure.
Poland’s Justice Minister, Adam Bodnar, expressed gratitude to President von der Leyen for the cooperation and support, reaffirming Poland’s commitment to European values.
Before formal withdrawal, the EU’s 26 other member states will have the opportunity to provide feedback.
The article 7 procedure against Poland was initiated in 2017 in response to reforms undertaken by the Law and Justice party, which raised concerns about increasing political influence over the judiciary. However, the process faced delays amid fears of a veto from Hungary, Poland’s ideological ally.
