The draft decision states that Poland is addressing concerns about the independence of the judiciary, that it has “recognized the supremacy of EU law” and is committed to implementing the rulings of European courts on the rule of law.
As a result of the legal proceedings brought against Poland, its EU membership rights may in principle be suspended, although this has not yet happened to any EU country. The decision to terminate the proceedings against Poland eliminates this possibility.
On May 21, the European Affairs Ministers of the EU member states will discuss the Commission’s assessment, after which the Commission intends to officially withdraw the legal procedure.
“Today opens a new phase for Poland,” Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on the X social network. She said Poland’s change in status was “the result of hard work and determined reform efforts.”
The Commission launched legal proceedings against Poland in 2017 on the grounds that the then government, led by the nationalist Law and Justice Party (PiS), had undermined the independence of the judiciary.
The announcement that the Commission wants to end the procedure comes after Poland’s new centrist government, led by former European Council President Donald Tusk, proposed a reform plan in February.
After the Polish government presented its plan, the Commission decided on February 29 to overturn a 2022 decision that suspended Poland’s access to a large part of the EU budget, including cohesion funds that support less wealthy member states.
Tags: determined longrunning legal actions Poland
