MEPs discuss Poland’s revision of its electoral law, as well as the new administrative body that threatens civil rights, and the ECJ’s judgment on the Disciplinary Chamber. The revision of Poland’s electoral rules finalised in March 2023 foresees changes to polling stations and free transport for elderly and disabled people on voting day. MEPs discuss Poland’s revision of its electoral law, as well as the new administrative body that threatens civil rights, and the ECJ’s judgment on the Disciplinary Chamber. The revision of Poland’s electoral rules finalised in March 2023 foresees changes to polling stations and free transport for elderly and disabled people on voting day. Extracts from the debate.

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

LENAERS, Jeroen (EPP, NL)

REINTKE, Terry (Greens/EFA, DE)

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

EU - Poland (T)

THUN UND HOHENSTEIN, Róża (Renew, PL)

REYNDERS, Didier (BE, EC)

BELKA, Marek (S&D, PL)

ROSWALL, Jessika (SE)

The Electoral Law and the Rule of Law in Poland: extracts from the debate

Title: The Electoral Law in Poland and the Rule of Law: extracts from the debate (EbS) 

SOUNDBITE (English), Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, Russia's war in Ukraine has clearly shown that we must stand up for democratic principles as a clear alternative to other authoritarian states that violate international law and human rights. That is one of the reasons that we are taking this so seriously at this point in time. It is a natural reaction to review Russian influence. It is a legitimate, legitimate objective, but it must be done in accordance with the principle of the rule of law.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, During the last hearing of Poland in the General Affairs Council in May, it was clear that the process under Article seven will remain on the Council's agenda and the Presidency remains ready to engage with the European Parliament on rule of law issues.

SOUNDBITE (English), Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, Following a short assessment, the Commission decided on the end of June to open an infringement posture against Poland. Among others, the Commission considers that the new law violates the principle of democracy, as well as the principle of legality and none of its activity of sanctions. But it has been given 21 calendar days to reply to the letter of formal notice. And since our last debate last Monday in Libby, I have continued to exchange with the Polish government, with the Minister of European Affairs. And I want to inform you that I receive different comments about the fact that now there is a series of amendments tabled to the Polish Parliament to change such a law and was an important decision to not select members of the Commission until the new laws or the new amendment will enter into force.

SOUNDBITE (English), Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, So far, the Polish authorities have taken no steps to address the service concerns in relation to the independence of the National Council for the Judiciary. As regards the Supreme Court, they are service dogs where a number of is justice appointed in 2018 and 2019, including its first President, comply with the requirements of independence stemming from Article 19 of the Treaty on European Union. Finally, as regards the Constitutional Tribunal Service, concerns persist as the Polish authorities have not taken any action to address the concerns of the Commission.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jeroen LENAERS (EPP, NL), The latest and most extreme example is the so-called Lex Tusk, clearly designed to remove the opposition from the playing field. Altogether, it is the culmination of eight years of authoritarian system developed in Poland for those eight years, and it may officially be called a committee on Russian influence, but it should be called a committee on Russian inspiration because trying to remove, trying to make your political opponents disappear. That is exactly what Putin does in Russia. And if we want to prevent European Navalny in the future, we need to act now.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Marek BELKA (S&amp;D, PL), The rule of law or the lack of that in Poland is a very broad topic. But unfortunately, in Poland, there is more and more evidence of the problem. Between 2017 and 2022 this was the case. Everything that has happened in that period is like a bad joke. The governing party organised an event for supporters of Russia even. And this reminds us of Stalinism. Those that are accused don't have the right to defend themselves in practice. And this system guarantees impunity for those governing. And what is their aim? Well, the aim, of course, is to increase the their chance of winning the next elections.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), R&#243;&#380;a THUN UND HOHENSTEIN (Renew, PL), We've got this new committee which can remove individuals from the electoral roll. Individuals they don't like. We've got a situation where the media is pumping out propaganda for the Morawiecki government, and the oil company is overseeing all of this and helping with this propaganda.

SOUNDBITE (English), Terry REINTKE (Greens/EFA, DE), Colleagues, when we look around the world right now, we witness a more and more autocratic backlash against democracy, against freedom and against a rules based world order. Let us make sure that the European Union, with a united effort, stands up to this. And with half a million people in the streets of Warsaw last Sunday, I am confident that Polish citizens are at our side in this struggle.