Since the Law and Justice party (PiS) won both the presidential and parliamentary elections in Poland in autumn 2015, the new government has undertaken a series of reforms that critics say restrict democracy.

Freedom and pluralism: President Schulz of Parliament, and Commission vice-president Timmermans have voiced concern for the freedom and pluralism of Poland’s public-service television and radio and for the status of the Constitutional Court. On 13 January the Commission decided to start the first stage of the "Framework for addressing systemic threats to the Rule of Law" in Poland.

Women’s rights in Poland: the current sexual and reproductive health law in Poland is among the most restrictive in the EU but it does reflect a political consensus reached by all the parties years ago. This consensus has recently been put at risk by the pro-life movements calling for a total ban on abortion. Their “Pro- Right to Life” proposal (“citizen initiative”) and the restrictive act on IVF have been passed on for further work in the Polish parliament while a “Save the Women” proposal (a rival bid to liberalise access to legal abortion and introduce a large package of sexual and reproductive health services”) has been rejected despite earlier assurances that citizens’ initiatives will not be rejected without consideration in committees.

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

EU - Poland (T)

Rule of law in Poland - 8th parliamentary term

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - determination of a clear risk of a serious breach by Poland of the rule of law; and LGBTI-free zones in Poland within the scope of the Rete Lenford case

EP Plenary session- Joint debate - determination of a clear risk of a serious breach by Poland of the rule of law; and LGBTI-free zones in Poland within the scope of the Rete Lenford case

Rule of law in Poland: extracts from the press conference by Claude MORAES (S&D, UK), Chair of the LIBE Committee and Head of the EP Delegation to Warsaw

EP Plenary session - Independence of the Judiciary in Poland - Council and Commission statements

EP Plenary session: Independence of the Judiciary in Poland - Closing statement by Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC and by Monika PANAYOTOVA, Bulgarian Presidency (15:50 - 15:56)

EP Plenary session: Independence of the Judiciary in Poland - One round of political group speakers - Philippe LAMBERTS (GREENS/EFA, BE) (15:38 - 15:41)

EP Plenary session: Independence of the Judiciary in Poland - One round of political group speakers - Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI (ECR, PL) (15:25 - 15:32)

EP Plenary session: Independence of the Judiciary in Poland - One round of political group speakers - Josef WEIDENHOLZER (S&D, AT) (15:21 - 15:25)

EP Plenary session: Independence of the Judiciary in Poland - One round of political group speakers - Barbara SPINELLI (GUE/NGL, IT) (15:41 - 15:43)

EP Plenary session: Independence of the Judiciary in Poland - One round of political group speakers - Janusz LEWANDOWSKI (EPP, PL) (15:15 - 15:21)

Independence of the Judiciary in Poland: extracts from the debate

EP Plenary session: Independence of the Judiciary in Poland - One round of political group speakers - Sophia IN 'T VELD (ALDE, NL) (15:32 - 15:38)

LIBE Committee meeting - Vote on the Commission decision to activate Article 7 paragraph 1 TEU as regards the situation in Poland. Statement by Claude MORAES - rapporteur

Plenary session week 46 2017 in Strasbourg - The situation of the rule of law and democracy in Poland

LIBE Committee meeting - Rule of Law in Poland - State of Play: Debate with EC First Vice President in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights

Plenary session week 40 2016 in StrasbourgWomen’s rights in Poland.

Plenary session week 03 2016 in Strasbourg - Situation in Poland

Plenary session week 03 2016 - Situation in Poland.

Plenary session week 03 2016 in Strasbourg  Situation in Poland

Situation in Poland - Visit of the Polish Prime Minister to the European Parliament in Strasbourg

Situation in Poland - Visit of the Polish Prime Minister to the European Parliament in Strasbourg  - Arrival

LIBE - FEMM joint Committee - Hearing on ' Attacks on abortion rights and breaches of the Rule of Law in Poland '

EP Plenary session: Independence of the Judiciary in Poland - One round of political group speakers - Michał MARUSIK (ENF, PL) (15:44 - 15:47)

EP Plenary session: Independence of the Judiciary in Poland - One round of political group speakers - Dobromir SOŚNIERZ (NI, PL) (15:47 - 15:50)

EP Plenary session: Independence of the Judiciary in Poland - One round of political group speakers - Robert Jarosław IWASZKIEWICZ (EFDD, PL) (15:43 - 15:44)

EP Plenary session: Independence of the Judiciary in Poland - Opening and opening statements Monika PANAYOTOVA, Bulgarian Presidency and by Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC (15:00 - 15:15)

Commission decision to activate Article 7 (1) TEU as regards the situation in Poland: extracts from the vote

Press conference by Frank ENGEL (EPP, LU), rapporteur, Cécile Kashetu KYENGE (S&D, IT) and Branislav ŠKRIPEK (ECR, SK) on the situation of Fundamental rights in the EU in 2016

(05) EP plenary session - Commission decision to activate Article 7 (1) TEU as regards the situation in Poland: one round of political group speakers: Barbara SPINELLI (GUE/NGL, IT) (17:51 - 17:53)

(03) EP plenary session - Commission decision to activate Article 7 (1) TEU as regards the situation in Poland: one round of political group speakers: Ryszard LEGUTKO (ECR, PL) (17:41 - 17:49)

EP plenary session - Commission decision to activate Article 7 (1) TEU as regards the situation in Poland: opening statement by Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC (17:24 - 17:34)

(04) EP plenary session - Commission decision to activate Article 7 (1) TEU as regards the situation in Poland: one round of political group speakers: Sophia IN'T VELD (ALDE, NL) (17:49 - 17:51)

(06) EP plenary session - Commission decision to activate Article 7 (1) TEU as regards the situation in Poland: one round of political group speakers: Ska KELLER (Greens/EFA, DE) (17:53 - 17:55)

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