The European Commission launched the so-called Article 7 sanctions procedure, which can see a country lose its voting rights in the European Council, in 2017 against Poland under the previous Law and Justice government. The move came after the government introduced reforms which the EU’s top court found violated rule-of-law standards.
When Prime Minister Donald Tusk took power in December, he vowed to restore rule of law and improve Poland’s relationship with the EU — an effort that appears set to bear fruit.
Poland’s leading role in galvanizing support for Ukraine as it seeks to fend off the Russian invasion has seen the EU’s center of gravity shift, with speculation rife in Brussels that the country could find itself rewarded with a plum Commission post after the June European parliamentary election.
“For six years, we have tried to find the way to address the serious concerns regarding rule of law in Poland,” European Values Commissioner Jourová told Playbook. “Only days after the new government took office,” Bodnar and Jourová met to seek to resolve the dispute. “I very much welcome … the determination of the new Polish government,” the commissioner said.
“I am glad to see this action plan sees a light of day. The Commission will support Poland with the implementation of the action plan,” Jourová said.
Reynders, the EU’s justice commissioner, also noted that since Tusk’s government took office, “it has shown a clear commitment to restore the rule of law in the country.”
