European Union officials welcomed Poland’s new government’s plan to address concerns about democratic backsliding, hoping to end years of legal disputes. Since the Law and Justice party took power in 2015, implementing reforms criticized for politicizing the judiciary, tensions with the EU have persisted. The European Commission initiated Article 7 proceedings in 2017, threatening to suspend Poland’s voting rights and block access to EU funds. However, with a more centrist government elected in October, there’s optimism as Justice Minister Adam Bodnar presented an action plan to resolve EU concerns, aiming to restore the rule of law and unlock frozen EU funds.
Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib noted the positive reaction from ministers, highlighting the significance of political will in addressing the issue. European Commission Vice-President Vera Jourova acknowledged the progress but emphasized the need for further work and cautioned that the closure of the Article 7 process depends on the plan’s specifics and implementation. While expressing a desire to conclude the process during her term, Jourova stressed the importance of ensuring democratic processes in any rollbacks of previous government actions.
EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders underscored the necessity of restoring the rule of law democratically, emphasizing the importance of respect for democratic principles. With President Andrzej Duda’s approval needed for some proposals, concerns remain about the alignment with the Law and Justice party’s stance. Despite challenges, there is a shared commitment between the commission and the Polish government to address the rule of law issues effectively and democratically, marking a potential turning point in the longstanding dispute.
