The European Commission has taken a significant step towards resolving a long-standing dispute with Poland over the rule of law, signaling a new chapter for the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
After years of tension between Warsaw and Brussels, the European Commission has initiated the process to bring an end to the Article 7 procedure, which was launched against Poland in 2017 over judiciary reforms that were deemed to breach the separation of powers.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen praised the progress made by Poland in restoring judicial independence and congratulated Prime Minister Donald Tusk on this important breakthrough. The ongoing restoration of the rule of law in Poland is seen as a positive development for both the Polish people and the European Union as a whole.
In response to Poland’s efforts, Brussels has agreed to unlock €137bn in EU funds that were previously frozen due to the rule-of-law disputes. This move signifies a wider normalization of relations between Poland and the EU, with the first installment of EU recovery funds already paid out to the country.
While the process to formally end the Article 7 procedure is underway, Polish justice minister Adam Bodnar expressed gratitude for the support from Brussels and emphasized Poland’s commitment to upholding European values.
Overall, the decision by the European Commission to close the Article 7 procedure can be seen as a positive step towards resolving the rule of law issues in Poland and strengthening the relationship between the country and the EU.