The European Commission has decided on Poland and Article 7

“Today begins a new chapter for… Polish. We believe that after more than six years, the procedure specified in Art. 7 can be closed. Congratulations to the Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his government on this important breakthrough. This is the result of hard work and determined reform efforts,” the president said at noon European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Opinion on the rule of law in Poland already Vera Jourova will present at the meeting of European affairs ministers on May 21, and then the EC will withdraw the application under Art. 7 towards Poland. – I had a dream that this would happen during my term – said the deputy head of the European Commission. Brussels was to recognize that there is no longer a “clear threat” to the rule of law in our country within the meaning of specific provisions of the Treaty on European Union.

– Although work (on fulfilling the principles of the rule of law – ed.) requires continuation, actions taken so far allow us to conclude that there is no longer a clear risk of a serious breach of the rule of law. It's good for the EU and good for Poland that this procedure can be closed soon, added the Czech woman.

EC spokesman Christian Wigand said at a press conference that “The Commission intends to withdraw its proposal and close the Article 7 procedure“.

– This is in line with the action plan presented by the Polish government in February. Poland has introduced a number of legal and non-legal reforms to address the independence of the judiciary. It recognized the primacy of EU law and committed to implement all relevant judgments of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, he said.

On the initiation of the procedure for Poland provided for in art. 7 Treatise on European Union European Commission decided on December 20, 2017. The provision concerns “serious breach by a Member State of the values ​​of the Union“. It was primarily about violating the principles of the rule of law in the justice system. The PiS government repeatedly referred to the “vague” provisions of this rule and rejected the interpretation Brussels.

“The European Commission, after analyzing the plan presented by Adam Bodnar, intends to close the procedure under Art. 7. We are restoring the rule of law! – wrote the Minister of European Affairs after these reports Adam Szłapka.

He presented the justice reform plan at the EU forum Adam Bodnar.

– I personally have such a dream, I don't know if it will work, but it's always worth having dreams that when we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Poland's accession to the EU on May 1, 2024, Art. 7., putting us in such a situation and in such a position that is unauthorized from the point of view of everything that is in Poland we would like to achieve – said the Minister of Justice at the end of January after a round of talks with commissioners Didier Reynders and Vera Jourova.

Experts agree that the current situation is a precedent, because so far the EU has never completed this procedure against any of the countries, and the provision in the treaty itself says how to start the procedure, but not how to end it.

Statements in a similar tone to those of the Minister of Justice also came from the mouths of Minister for European Affairs. Adam Szłapka said on Tuesday in Brussels that counts on the completion of the procedure joke. 7. v. Poland during the Belgian Presidency in the EU Council, i.e. until the end of June.

– In our case, the procedure was initiated by the Commission, so we will see whether it will be withdrawn by the Commission or voted on in the Council. It's hard for me to say. For now, we are talking about the situation we hope for. We do our part and we will certainly emphasize what we have already done. From what I talk to our partners, everyone is in good spirits – added the politician.

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