Poland Fails To Ease EU Fears On Court Independence: Commission
Sumaira FH Published June 13, 2018 | 08:39 PM
Poland has failed to allay fears that it is undermining judicial independence, the European Commission said Wednesday, calling for a "formal hearing" of EU states to mull unprecedented penalties.
Strasbourg, France, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jun, 2018 ) :Poland has failed to allay fears that it is undermining judicial independence, the European Commission said Wednesday, calling for a "formal hearing" of EU states to mull unprecedented penalties.
European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans said that he will continue pressing Poland's right-wing government to reverse course on its court reforms during a visit to Warsaw on Monday.
Brussels in December triggered so-called article seven proceedings against Poland over "systemic threats" to the rule of law, which could eventually see Warsaw's EU voting rights suspended.
Legislative changes adopted in Warsaw since April in a bid to solve the row "are not sufficient to eliminate the clear risk of a serious breach of the rule of law," Timmermans told the European Parliament.
Poland's right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) government began making changes to the judiciary after coming to power in late 2015. It says the reforms are needed to combat corruption and overhaul the judicial system still haunted by the communist era.
With the lower courts already under threat, "it is now the Polish Supreme Court which is at risk of coming under political control," warned Timmermans, who leads the Polish dossier in the commission, the EU's executive arm.
Around a third of Poland's supreme court judges risk being fired or forced to retire next month under the reforms, he said.
Timmermans added that "last week the Commission therefore asked the Council to organise a formal hearing of Poland" in line with article seven of the EU treaty.
The proceedings could much further down the line lead to the never-before-used "nuclear option", in which Poland's EU voting rights are suspended.
Hungary has already said it would veto such a step against its key ally but Brussels is hoping the proceedings will have significant symbolic power.
Three former Polish presidents, including anti-communist icon Lech Walesa, earlier on Wednesday urged the EU to defend the rule of law in their country, ahead of the decisions on the Supreme Court.
The row underlines growing east-west tensions within the European Union, with former Soviet bloc states like Poland and Hungary refusing to toe the Brussels line on several thorny issues including judicial and media independence as well as immigrationlc/dk/nla
Related Topics
Recent Stories
PTI backed SIC nominates Hamid Raza for role of PAC chairman
PM vows to work for country along with students
US ambassador meets Senate Chairman, discusses bilateral ties
UHS to issue MBBS degrees within three months after final result
Aiman Khan granted UAE Golden Visa
PSX achieves significant milestone, surpasses 72,000 mark
Pak Vs NZ T20I: Orphaned children extended special invitation to watch match
Finance Minister lauds UNDP’s unwavering support during floods
President Raisi leaves for Iran from Karachi
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 24 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 24 April 2024
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
More Stories From World
-
Thousands in heatwave-hit Bangladesh pray for rain
17 minutes ago -
EU urges probe into reported mass graves at Gaza hospitals
27 minutes ago -
Gucci owner Kering's shares sink after profit warning
27 minutes ago -
Extreme heat scorches Southeast Asia, bringing school closures and warnings
37 minutes ago -
Ambassador Hashmi greets China on Space Day
47 minutes ago -
Mass cancellations loom despite French air union calling off strike
1 hour ago
-
Record-breaking London stocks spearhead global rally
1 hour ago -
'City Hunter' manga hero drops the sexism for new live-action film
1 hour ago -
Russian deputy defence minister held over bribery accusations
1 hour ago -
Danger warning issued for Bangkok as extreme heat bites
1 hour ago -
Iran cuts Syria presence after strikes blamed on Israel: monitor
2 hours ago -
Four injured as escaped army horses bolt through central London
2 hours ago