Rule of law in Poland

The rule of law framework was activated for the first time with regard to Poland in 2016. Under the rule of law framework, the Commission engaged in an exchange of views with the Polish government and issued four recommendations: 2016/1374, 2016/146, 2017/1520, and 2018/103.

Due to emergency Covid-19 restrictions, Poland decided at the beginning of April 2020 to organise the presidential election on 10 May 2020 by post. Holding elections in the middle of a pandemic and changing the electoral code so close to the election is seen as problematic. There is also a growing concern about the independence of the judiciary in Poland after recent reforms, while judges who question them are facing disciplinary procedures. Most recently, concerns have been raised about the obstacles set in the way of implementing decisions by the European Court of Justice. In addition, European Parliament worried about proposed reforms on LGBTI rights and restrictions on abortion law and sex education.