The European Commission has decided to end its sanctions process against Poland after Donald Tusk’s new government pledged to restore the judiciary’s independence. The Commission stated on Monday that it no longer saw a significant risk to the rule of law in Poland and, as a result, would withdraw the Article 7 sanctions process, which could have led to Poland losing its EU voting rights.
In a statement, Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, called the move a “new chapter for Poland” and congratulated Tusk and his administration on their efforts to restore the rule of law. She added that the ongoing efforts to reinstate judicial independence in Poland are positive for both the country and the EU.
Tusk, a former Prime Minister of Poland and President of the European Council, came to power following an election in October. He promised to “fix everything together,” and his government released a plan in February aimed at restoring judicial independence and resolving disputes with the European Commission and the European Court of Justice. The plan involves having judges elect their representatives to Poland’s National Council of the Judiciary through a secret ballot, reducing political influence over the courts, and ensuring the independence of the Supreme Court. Additionally, it would prevent Polish judges from facing disciplinary actions for adhering to EU law.
The European Commission acknowledged that Poland has taken concrete steps to implement these changes, prompting its decision to end the Article 7 process. Poland’s recent move to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, an EU body focused on investigating cross-border fraud, also played a role in the decision.
“Great news from Brussels today! Thank you, President @vonderleyen, for the cooperation and support,” Poland’s Justice Minister, Adam Bodnar, posted on X (formerly Twitter). “We are determined and devoted to our common European values.”
Before the Commission formally ends the sanctions process, the EU’s other 26 member states will have the opportunity to offer their input. The Article 7 procedure against Poland began in 2017 after the hard-right nationalist Law and Justice party made changes to the judiciary, tightening its control. Known as the “nuclear option,” Article 7 could strip an EU member state of its voting rights in the EU Council. However, the process against Poland stalled for years, partly due to concerns that Hungary’s similarly aligned government might block any punitive measures against Poland.
