Brussels moves to close rule of law procedure against Poland

The European Commission has announced it is taking the first steps to close the Article 7 procedure against Poland.

Transcript

00:00 Poland is a step closer to exiting the EU's Article 7 rule of law procedure, with the

00:07 European Commission announcing plans to abort its dispute with Warsaw.

00:13 The decision comes after the new centrist government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk,

00:18 presented a so-called action plan to restore judicial independence.

00:24 The Commission considers that there is no longer a clear risk of a serious breach of

00:29 the rule of law in Poland.

00:32 The Commission therefore intends to withdraw its recent proposal from 2017 and close the

00:38 Article 7.1 procedure.

00:41 The European Commission triggered Article 7 proceedings against Poland in December 2017,

00:48 after the former Law and Justice Party implemented judicial reforms that critics said compromised

00:54 its independence.

00:57 In February, the new pro-European government presented a plan to restore EU compliance,

01:03 led by Justice Minister Adam Bodnar.

01:07 In a post on X, Bodnar thanked European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for her support.

01:14 He said Poland is devoted to common European values.

01:19 Politicians with a special interest in the rule of law have cautiously welcomed Warsaw's

01:24 efforts.

01:25 "I think it's difficult.

01:28 The new government is trying to fix what peace has broken in terms of rule of law and fundamental

01:36 rights over eight years.

01:38 I very much applaud the progress that has been made and particularly the intentions

01:43 that are still there, but the job is not done."

01:46 The government has tabled a variety of legislative texts, but none have been adopted so far.

01:52 In February, the Commission approved the release of up to 137 billion euro in frozen EU funds

01:59 for Poland.

02:00 Hungary is the only other EU country facing the Article 7 procedure.

02:05 The final decision on Poland is expected later this month.

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02:15 This video was produced by the European Commission on Foreign Affairs.

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02:26 This video was produced by the European Commission on Foreign Affairs.

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