The European Commission has ended its long-standing legal action against Poland for rule of law violations, acknowledging the country’s progress in addressing concerns about judicial independence. This decision removes the possibility of Poland facing a suspension of its EU membership rights. On May 21, EU member states’ European affairs ministers will discuss the commission’s assessment of Poland’s progress before the commission formally withdraws the legal action. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described this development as a new chapter for Poland, attributing the change in status to the country’s efforts in enacting reforms.
The legal proceedings against Poland were initiated in 2017 due to concerns over judicial independence under the then-incumbent government, led by the nationalist Law and Justice Party (PiS). In February, Poland’s new centrist government, headed by former European Council president Donald Tusk, proposed a reform plan that led to the commission’s decision to end the proceedings. Tusk’s coalition defeated PiS in a general election on October 15. After presenting its reform plan, the commission reversed a 2022 decision that suspended Poland’s access to significant portions of the EU budget, including “cohesion” funds that support less-wealthy member states.
