Polish government continues to resist EU pressure on rule of law

The Polish government is continuing to resist pressure from the EU to protect the rule of law as it presses ahead with controversial judicial reforms.

The European Commission reiterated its position – that the Polish reforms have put the country’s judiciary “under the political control of the ruling majority” – at yesterday’s regular monthly meeting of the General Affairs Council.

Frans Timmermans, first vice-president of the Commission, met Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Warsaw on Monday.

Speaking after yesterday’s meeting of the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg, Mr Timmermans said: “We need to solve this issue in a European way, through dialogue. It is essential for our common future that Poland plays its historic role in the European construction.

“For that to happen, I honestly believe that we have to make sure that there is no longer a systemic threat to the rule of law in Poland.

“Today we have not seen any steps further of the Polish government.”

He said the Polish government “did not indicate that they would make further changes apart from the changes they’ve already made”, which the Commission believes are insufficient, but “I remain at their disposal to find ways forward, and the Commission will continue to work for that”.