Rule of law

EU satisfied: proceedings against Poland closed

The European Commission announced in Brussels on Wednesday that it was closing the proceedings initiated against Poland for violations of the rule of law. The proceedings had been initiated in 2017 due to the judicial reforms of the then right-wing nationalist Polish government.

The Commission had already declared at the beginning of the month that it had completed its review and concluded that there was no longer any risk. The majority of the responsible European ministers also had no objections.

Tusk turned reforms inside out
Following a review of the latest reforms that the new, pro-European Polish government under Donald Tusk has implemented and intends to implement, the Commission proposed that the proceedings be closed.

EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders cited measures to restore the independence of the judicial system as an example. At a ministerial meeting, only Hungary objected to the closure. Hungary is now the last country to be subject to Article 7 proceedings.