Poland withdraws from the European procedure for violation of the rule of law. Von Der Leyen’s announcement on X

“Today marks a new chapter for Poland. After more than 6 years, we believe that the Article 7 procedure can be closed. I congratulate Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his government on this important step forward.” With these words the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced the closure […]

“Today marks a new chapter for Poland. After more than 6 years, we believe that the Article 7 procedure can be closed. I congratulate the Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his government for this important step forward.” With these words the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced the closure of the proceedings against Warsaw for violation of the rule of law. “This – added the president – ​​is the result of Poland’s hard work and determined reform efforts”. The Commission has in fact completed its analysis of the situation of the rule of law in Poland in the context of the procedure referred to in Article 7 of the European Treaties and considers that there is no longer a clear risk of serious violation of the rule of law in Poland, explains the community executive in a note.

Warsaw, observe palace Berlaymontinitiated a series of legislative and non-legislative measures to address concerns about the independence of the judiciary, recognized the primacy of EU law and committed to implementing all judgments of the Court of Justice of the EU and of European Court of Human Rights relating to the rule of law, including judicial independence. The Commission, in particular, recalls the adoption of the action plan presented by Poland in February 2024, and the first concrete steps taken by Warsaw to implement the action plan, together with Poland’s recognition of the need to address the rule of law issue, and the country’s accession to the Prosecutor’s Office on 29 February, all elements directly relevant to the Commission’s risk assessment.

The EU executive shall at the same time inform the Council and the European Parliament of this assessment and of its intention to withdraw the reasoned proposal as of 2017, thus closing the procedure referred to in Article 7. The latter, known as the ‘nuclear option’, provides for the suspension of certain membership rights of the Member State concerned by the procedure in the event of serious and repeated violations of the rule of law. At the moment the procedure is also open against theViktor Orbàn’s Hungary.