EP committee adopts resolution on Poland
PR dla Zagranicy
Alicja Baczyńska
30.01.2018 09:00
The European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs has voted in favour of a resolution concerning Poland, following the European Commission’s December decision to trigger Article 7 of the EU Treaty.
The European Parliament in Strasbourg. Photo: Pixabay/you_littleswine
The resolution was backed by 33 members of the committee, while nine opposed the document.
Monday’s decision served as a token of support for the procedures undertaken by the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union, Poland's Rzeczpospolita daily reported.
Warsaw has repeatedly clashed with Brussels over sweeping changes to courts in Poland under the Law and Justice party.
Critics have claimed the changes undermine judicial independence, but Poland's ruling conservatives have said the reforms are vital to make courts more efficient and more transparent.
The December 20 decision to issue a resolution activating Article 7 procedures means that the EU’s executive wants the bloc’s member states to declare that the rule of law in Poland is under threat.
The move could pave the way for sanctions being imposed on Poland, for example suspending its voting rights in the European Union. But penalties on Warsaw would have to be backed unanimously by EU member states, while Hungary has said it would not support sanctions.
(aba/gs)
Source: Rzeczpospolita