Initiated a range of legislative and non-legislative measures to address concerns
The European Commission considers that there is no longer a clear risk of a serious violation of the rule of law in Poland, having today completed its analysis of the situation in the country, within the framework of the procedure of Article 7 paragraph 1 of the TEU.
Poland has launched a series of legislative and non-legislative measures to address concerns about the independence of the judiciary, has recognized the supremacy of EU law and is committed to implementing all judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights Rights related to the rule of law, including judicial independence, the Commission's announcement points out.
The adoption of a clear program in the form of the action plan presented by Poland in February 2024 and the fact that it has taken the first concrete steps to implement it, together with Warsaw's recognition that the rule of law must be directly related with the Commission's risk assessment, are factors which the Commission has examined and concluded that there is no longer a clear risk of a serious violation of the rule of law. In this context, it is important to note that Poland joined the European Public Prosecutor's Office on 29 February 2024.
Therefore, the Commission informs the Council and the European Parliament about it the evaluation and for the intention of the Commission to withdraw its reasoned proposal from 2017,thus closing the Article 7 paragraph 1 procedure.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, spoke of “a new chapter for Poland”
“After more than 6 years, we believe that the Article 7(1) process can be closed. I congratulate Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his Government on this important development. It is the result of their hard work and determined reform efforts. The continued restoration of the rule of law in Poland is important for the Polish people and for our Union as a whole. It is a testament to the resilience of the rule of law and democracy in Europe,” he noted.
On 20 February 2024, Poland presented its rule of law action plan to the General Affairs Council. Following its commitment to address the serious rule of law concerns set out in the Commission's reasoned proposal to initiate the Article 7 procedure, the Commission has undertaken a new analysis to determine whether a “clear risk of a serious breach” still exists.
Therefore, the Commission intends to withdraw its reasoned proposal and invites the Council to make any comments it deems appropriate. For this purpose, the Commission approved today an information note sent to the Council by Vice-President Viera Jourova. The Commission also informed the European Parliament about its analysis.
