During the plenary session (10-13 February 2020) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the ongoing threat for the rule of law in Poland. Statements by Nikolina BRNJAC, State Secretary - Croatian Presidency, Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Values and Transparency, Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Michal ŠIMEČKA (RE, SK), and Beate SZYDŁO (ECR, PL).

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

JOUROVÁ, Věra (EC)

LÓPEZ AGUILAR, Juan Fernando (S&D, ES)

EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights (T)

EU - Poland (T)

SZYDŁO, Beata (ECR, PL)

ŠIMEČKA, Michal (Renew, SK)

BRNJAC, Nikolina (HR)

Ongoing threat for the rule of law in Poland: extracts from the debate (11/02)

Title: Ongoing threat for the rule of law in Poland: extracts from the debate (11/02)

SOUNDBITE (English), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, As I had the opportunity to tell you when we discussed this topic at your January session, three hearings took place in June, September and December 2018 at the General Affairs Council. Subsequently, the council was kept regularly informed of the developments of the on the ground in Poland. Updates on the state of play were discussed at the General Affairs Council repeatedly in course of 2090 in February, April, July, September and December. The council will remain seised of this matter and our presidency is ready to continue proceeding the Generals Affairs Council. At the same time, we very much hope that the continued dialogue at the political level between the commission and the Poland will bear concrete results.

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Values and Transparency, As noted by the Venice Commission that is concerned that this new law may further undermine judicial independence in Poland. It also raises concerns of compatibility with EU law, and the commission is now assessing these issues in detail. I can assure you that the commission is committed to ensure the full respect of EU law and will take all necessary measures in that regard.

SOUNDBITE (English), Vĕra JOUROV&Aacute;, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Values and Transparency I regret to say that these recent developments show that the situation is very serious. This is also reflected in the recent decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to open a monitoring procedure over the functioning of Poland's democratic institutions and the rule of law. At the same time, I want to reiterate that the commission remains ready to continue a dialogue with the Polish authorities to solve the issues at hand.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), We look to those judges with respect and honour, their bravery to their oath is a true symbol of the Polish courage that the world admires. And there are consequences to being an EU member state. There are rules of this club that states agreed to follow. So now the commission must use all the possible tools to immediately apply interim measures to prevent further repression, to protect the European way, to protect the Polish people. This is a plenary chamber. The muzzled law, the continued and anti-European path of the government means that Poland is drifting away and we are here extending a hand. Do not turn your backs on Europe.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Juan Fernando L&#211;PEZ AGUILAR (S&amp;D, ES), All of us support, we are with you, with what you're doing to you and to guranatee that you carry out the mandate of the LIBE committee, and it is the permanent framework for fundamental rights, democracy and rule of law. That is something that we have. Which Involves us, which involves the member states as well. And we said we will continue to implement the key principles of European law. We cannot accept a constitutional breakdown in any member state. We cannot have uncertainty, conditional populist backslide in any country, any EU member state.

SOUNDBITE (English), Michal &#352;IME&#268;KA (RE, SK), Never in the history of the EU has in fact any member state government exerted so much control over over the judiciary. Now here we are four weeks later and the situation is even worse. And in Poland is now the first member state where applying EU law can actually get judges fired. And worst of all, the constitutional court, which is supposed to be the ultimate guardian of checks and balances, is actually doing the government's bidding in its war on independent judges. And time is indeed running out, because if the Supreme Court is fully captured and it seems to be where we're headed, then it could spell the end of separation of powers in one of our member states.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Beate SZYD&#321;O (ECR, PL), As the former Polish Prime Minister, I say to you, ladies and gentlemen, Poland is a rule of law country and we act according to our Polish constitution and the EU treaties and we have our own sovereignty. And this is the way it stays.