#Poland: MEPs debate rule of law and fundamental rights in the country

Background

The European Commission has been looking into the situation in Poland. It is mainly concerned about developments affecting the country's constitutional tribunal. Three judges who were nominated for the tribunal by the previous Polish parliament are prevented from taking office. Some of the tribunal's decisions have not been published by Poland's official journal, while the new law on the constitutional tribunal adopted in July raises concerns about how the tribunal will be able to function effectively.

Debate
Slovakian State Secretary for European Affairs Ivan Korčok, speaking on behalf of the Slovak Council presidency, talked about the importance of fundamental rights: "Both the independence of tribunals and freedom and pluralism of media are indispensable elements in ensuring the rule of law in a democratic society."

Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans discussed the crisis with the Polish Constitutional Tribunal: its composition, the need to ensure all of its decisions are published automatically and the importance of it being to function effectively. "At the moment the dispute remains unresolved," he said, adding that the Commission was ready to continue the dialogue with the Polish authorities.

“We have to remember this is not just a debate against or for Poland,' said Polish EPP member Janusz Lewandowski. "It is a question of abuses of the current Polish government that represent a threat to the rule of law, and also will end up turning against Polish society itself. “It is only normal that the European Parliament should express its concerns."

Gianni Pittella, the Italian chair of the S&D group, said of the Polish people: “We are fighting for you and with you, not against you. We are fighting for democracy."

Ryszard Legutko, a Polish member of the ECR group, questioned why a debate on Poland was being held at a time when the EU faced so many serious challenges such as Brexit. "You are not able to accept the fact that there are parties and governments that are of a different opinion. And that they have every right to express these opinions."

Sophie in 't Veld, a Dutch member of the ALDE group, said it was important to discuss the situation in Poland: “This goes right to the heart what European Union is all about - the rule of law, fundamental rights and democracy."

Barbara Spinelli, an Italian member of the GUE/NGL group, strongly criticised the Polish government’s opposition to Muslim immigrants. “I don’t think that we are interfering in Polish affairs. We are recalling that there are standards that everybody has signed up to by ratifying the treaties."

Judith Sargentini, a Dutch member of the Greens/EFA group, expressed concerns that while Poland had only recently turned to democracy “now you are heading back in the opposite direction”.

“Leave Poland alone. The whole debate is a brutal attack on my fatherland," said Polish EFDD member Robert Iwaszkiewicz.. “It is not Poland which is the problem for Europe, rather the disastrous policies of the European elites with Merkel and Hollande."

Stanisław Żółtek, a Polish member of the ENF group, said: “The Commission has forgotten its role. The commissioners want to rule over this country; they want to take over and overthrow governments."

Zoltán Balczó, a non-attached member from Hungary, said “we are intervening in the politics of Poland” and by doing this “we will be well on our way to ensuring that the EU is destroyed”.