A New Chapter for Poland Begins: European Commission to End Sanctions for Rule of Law Violations

The European Commission has announced that it will close sanctions proceedings against Poland for violations of the rule of law, as Donald Tusk's government has taken real steps to address the counter-reforms implemented by the previous reactionary government, The Guardian reports.  

In a statement on Monday, the European executive said it no longer sees "a clear risk of a deterioration in the rule of law in Poland" and that it intends to deactivate Article 7 and end the procedure that could have led to Poland losing its right to vote in European institutions. "Today is a new chapter for Poland," said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. 

She congratulated Donald Tusk and his government on "this achievement".

The Commission said that the "first concrete steps" taken by Poland to implement this plan and the recognition of shortcomings in the rule of law are relevant to its conclusion that the rule of law is no longer at risk. Poland's decision to join the European Public Prosecutor's Office, the EU body for investigating cross-border fraud, also worked in its favour

The other 26 EU member states will have the opportunity to make "observations" before the Commission formally cancels the sanctions procedure against Poland.

The Article 7 proceedings against Poland were launched in 2017 after the right-wing nationalist Law and Justice government began a judicial review to tighten control over the judiciary.

Article 7, known as the nuclear option, can lead to a member state losing its voting rights in the EU Council. The Polish case lasted for years because there were fears that Hungary's hard-right nationalist government would veto any action against its former ideological ally.