The European Commission has concluded its sanctions procedure against Poland, praising the nation’s judicial reforms and marking a significant improvement in EU-Poland relations.
The European Commission has officially ended its sanctions procedure against Poland following significant reforms in the country’s judiciary, spearheaded by the newly elected government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk. This decision marks the resolution of a longstanding conflict that began in 2017 when the EU initiated the Article 7 process in response to judicial reforms by Poland’s then-ruling Law and Justice party, which were perceived as undermining judicial independence.
The cessation of this procedure comes after Poland committed to several reforms to restore judicial independence, including modifying the judiciary system and agreeing to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. These actions have led to a thaw in relations between Poland and the EU, with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, commending Poland for its efforts.
As a result of these changes, Poland will now benefit from the release of previously frozen EU funds, totalling around €137 billion, and will also receive €6.3 billion as the first instalment of EU recovery funds.
Justice Minister Adam Bodnar has expressed gratitude to the European Commission for its support and highlighted Poland’s ongoing commitment to European democratic values and principles. This development is perceived by many experts as a testament to the effectiveness of EU regulatory mechanisms and Poland’s willingness to align with EU standards.
