Frans Timmermans
The European Commission (EC) is concerned about the holding in Poland of judicial reform. In the case of the adoption of unacceptable laws, the Executive authority will consider the necessity of sanctions against Warsaw. About it told journalists the Vice-President of the Commission Frans Timmermans said Wednesday, July 19, RIA Novosti.
According to him, the EC next week will probably be sent to Poland recommendations on how to avoid violations of the principle of rule of law reform. Timmermans explained that the upcoming laws could put the judiciary in the country under political control.
He also said that the European Commission is preparing to launch procedures to prevent violations of EU law in Poland. It might appeal to the Court of the European Union, which will decide on the imposition of sanctions on the country if need be.
Judicial reform in Poland actually began the party “law and justice” after winning the election in 2015. Last week, the Seimas passed a package of laws that give the justice Minister the right to appoint the chief judges of the country. The reform also empowers Parliament to choose members of the National judicial Council. The party sent to the Sejm a bill that is subject to the Supreme court the Executive branch.
At the end of December 2015, the President of Poland Andrzej Duda approved amendments to the law on the constitutional court, which lost the right to terminate the powers of judges. This was possible to do only at the request of the President or the Minister of justice.
According to EU law, the Commission may take action if the government of a member country of the EU introduces a law that represents a “systemic threat” to the fundamental values of enterprises.