The EU’s executive commission has sent a letter of formal notice – the first step in legal action – to the nationalist government in Warsaw and wants a reply addressing its concerns within two months.
Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans said that disciplinary measures for Poland’s judges contained in a 2017 law on the supreme court seem designed “to systematically subject judges to the political control of the executive.”
Timmermans said that investigations launched since the rule change have “an obvious, chilling effect on the activities of judges and this is incompatible with the requirements of judicial independence.”
He said the letter gives Poland a chance to explain or change its mind about the laws, AP reported.
The move is the latest in a series of procedures launched against Poland that the commission insists is meant to safeguard the rule of law there. The commission has also launched similar action against Hungary.
Timmermans said Brussels believes it is time for a broader reflection on what can be done to protect democracy, personal freedoms and the justice systems of some EU member countries.
“There is a growing consensus that further action to protect the rule of law into the whole of the European Union is needed,” he told reporters. Asked whether he is worried about the rule of law in Italy, Timmermans said: “I do not see at this stage a systemic problem.”
But he did express concerns about possible back-sliding on reform in Romania, particularly in the fight against corruption.
“I want to warn against any government action that would disrupt the Romanian judicial system by creating a systemic, de-facto impunity for high office holders who were sentenced for corruption,” he said. “Such a move would compel the commission to act swiftly.”
Wednesday’s legal action and warnings have been announced in the run-up to the May 23-26 EU elections. Timmermans is running as a candidate to take over from Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the commission.
