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

Under the rule of law, governmental powers are limited by law and may be exercised only on the basis of law. An independent judiciary is indispensable to guaranteeing this state of affairs, and appropriate procedures, including legal remedies, must be in place to guarantee that individuals can protect their rights and trigger judicial review of governmental action.

Should an EU Member State be suspected of breaching the rule of law, a number of procedures are available to verify this and, if needed, remedy the situation.

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

EU - Poland (T)

9th parliamentary term

Rule of law in Poland (2019-2020)

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Abortion rights in Poland

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

LIBE - Joint debate on the recent developments in Hungary and Poland with regards to LGBTI rights: opening speeches by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D,ES), LIBE Chair and Helena DALLI, European Commissioner and Q&A

Recent developments in Hungary and Poland: extracts from the joint debate

LIBE - Joint debate on the situation of the rule of law in Hungary and Poland: opening speeches by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D,ES), LIBE Chair and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice and Q&A

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 10-11 December 2020: extracts from the debate on MFF rule of law conditionality

Abortion rights in Poland: Closing statements by Council and Commission

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 10-11 December 2020: Opening statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission

Abortion rights in Poland: Opening statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

Abortion rights in Poland: extracts from the debate and illustration shots

Abortion rights in Poland: MEPs debate

Press conference by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D,ES), rapporteur, on the rule of law situation in Poland

LIBE Committee meeting

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: opening statements

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: MEP's debate (part 1)

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: MEP's debate (part 2)

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: closing statements

Rule of law in Poland: extracts form the debate

Infoclip: SOTEU debate - Rule of law

Infoclip: Rule of law - Poland

Determination of a clear risk of a serious breach by the Republic of Poland of the rule of law: extracts from the debate

Exchange of views on the situation of the Rule of Law in Poland - LIBE Committee

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

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