Brussels, 1 June 2022
The European Commission has today given a positive assessment of Poland’s recovery and resilience plan, an important step towards the EU disbursing €23.9 billion in grants and €11.5 billion in loans under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). This financing will support the implementation of the crucial investment and reform measures outlined in Poland’s recovery and resilience plan. It will enable Poland to emerge stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic and progress with the green and digital transitions.
The RRF is the key instrument at the heart of NextGenerationEU, which will provide up to €800 billion (in current prices) to support investments and reforms across the EU. The Polish plan forms part of an unprecedented and coordinated EU response to the COVID-19 crisis, to address common European challenges by embracing the green and digital transitions, to strengthen economic and social resilience and the cohesion of the Single Market.
The Commission assessed Poland’s plan based on the criteria set out in the RRF Regulation. The Commission’s analysis considered, in particular, whether the investments and reforms contained in Poland’s plan support the green and digital transitions; contribute to effectively addressing challenges identified in the European Semester; and strengthen its growth potential, job creation and economic and social resilience.
Poland’s plan includes milestones related to important aspects of the independence of the judiciary, which are of particular importance to improve the investment climate and put in place the conditions for an effective implementation of the recovery and resilience plan. Poland needs to demonstrate that these milestones are fulfilled before any disbursement under the RRF can be made.
Securing Poland’s green and digital transition
The Commission’s assessment finds that Poland’s plan devotes 42.7% of its total allocation to measures that support climate objectives. The implementation of Poland’s plan is expected to contribute significantly to the decarbonisation of the Polish economy by increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix, the energy efficiency of the economy and the independence of Poland’s energy supply. This includes substantial funding for offshore wind energy plants, as well as key changes to the regulatory framework facilitating the construction of offshore and onshore wind farms. Moreover, the implementation of the plan is expected to support an energy efficient renovation of buildings, the modernisation of railways and bus transport, road safety and the development of green hydrogen technologies.
The Commission finds that Poland’s plan devotes 21.3% of the total allocation to measures that support the digital transition. This includes investments to provide universal access to high-speed internet, digitalisation of public services, IT equipment for schools, digital skills and cyber-security.
Reinforcing Poland’s economic and social resilience
The Commission considers that Poland’s plan includes an extensive set of mutually reinforcing reforms and investments that contribute to effectively addressing all or a significant subset of the economic and social challenges outlined in the country-specific recommendations addressed to Poland.
Poland’s plan contains several reforms to improve the investment climate in Poland. This includes a comprehensive reform of the disciplinary regime applicable to Polish judges which is expected to strengthen important aspects of the independence of the judiciary.
Such reform will need to live up to the following commitments:
- All disciplinary cases against judges will be adjudicated by a court, different from the current Disciplinary Chamber, that complies with EU law requirements in line with the case law of the Court of Justice and is thus independent, impartial, and established by law;
- Judges cannot be subject to disciplinary liability for submitting a request for a preliminary ruling to the Court of Justice, for the content of their judicial decisions, or for verifying whether another court is independent, impartial, and established by law;
- Procedural rights of parties in disciplinary proceedings are strengthened;
- All judges affected by the past Disciplinary Chamber rulings will have the right to have these rulings reviewed without delay by a court that complies with EU requirements and is thus independent, impartial, and established by law.
The Polish plan also includes reforms and investments towards a more universally accessible and effective healthcare system. It supports the modernisation of vocational education, training and lifelong learning, to deliver the right skills for integration in the labour market. Various measures of the plan aim at improving the functioning of the labour market, including a personal income tax reform to incentivise workers who reach the statutory retirement age to continue working. Other measures aim at increasing labour force participation, including of women. These cover reforms and investments in public employment services, long-term care and early childhood education and care.
The plan represents a comprehensive and adequately balanced response to Poland’s economic and social situation, thereby contributing appropriately to all six pillars of the RRF.
Supporting flagship investment and reform projects
Poland’s plan proposes projects in all six European flagship areas. These are specific investment projects which address issues that are common to all Member States in areas that create jobs and growth and are needed for the green and digital transition.
For instance, the investment in green urban transition worth €2.8 billion will support the deployment of renewables and the development of clean and sustainable transport. The plan also includes considerable investments in providing fast internet access to areas with no broadband connectivity.
The Commission’s assessment also finds that none of the measures included in the plan significantly harms the environment, in line with the requirements laid out in the RRF Regulation.
The Commission considers that the control systems put in place by Poland are adequate to protect the financial interests of the Union, once the milestones on additional audit and control measures laid out in the Commission’s proposal for a Council Implementing Decision have been implemented. These concern the milestones related to strengthening certain aspects of the independence of the Polish judiciary as set out above and the use of Arachne, an IT tool that supports Member States in their anti-fraud activities, by enabling them to collect data on final recipients of funds, contractors, subcontractors and beneficial owners and make this available upon request. The plan provides sufficient details on how national authorities will prevent, detect and correct instances of conflict of interest, corruption and fraud relating to the use of funds. Moreover, the milestones relating to additional audit and control measures must be fulfilled before Poland can present its first payment request.
Members of the College said:
President of the European Commission Ursulavon der Leyensaid:
“Today, the European Commission has endorsed Poland’s €35.4 billion recovery and resilience plan. The implementation of Poland’s plan is expected to significantly contribute to the decarbonisation of its economy, while boosting its energy supply independence. The plan also contains several measures to improve the country’s investment climate, including a comprehensive reform of the judiciary aimed at strengthening judges’ independence. Other measures aim at increasing the labour force participation, including of women. The approval of this plan is linked to clear commitments by Poland on the independence of the judiciary, which will need to be fulfilled before any actual payment can be made. I am looking forward to the implementation of these reforms.”
ValdisDombrovskis, Executive Vice-President for an Economy that Works for People, said:
“The Commission has today given its green light for Poland’s recovery and resilience plan, which will set the country on a greener and more digital path – congratulations! The plan has a strong focus on the green transition, for example by increasing Poland’s use and generation of renewable energy – particularly from offshore wind farms – as well as developing clean and safe transport and renovating buildings to make them more energy-efficient. All of this will help Poland to reduce its reliance on Russia’s energy supply. Poland also plans further digitalisation of its economy and to narrow the digital divide by ensuring access to high-speed internet and investing in 5G network deployment. Its plan contains prominent healthcare reforms and supports the modernisation of the education system, along with measures to improve the functioning of the labour market. We welcome Poland’s intention to improve its investment climate, including by strengthening the independence of the judiciary. This mix of reforms and investments should produce real change in Poland and help build a more resilient economy. Now it is time to put it into practice.”
PaoloGentiloni, Commissioner for Economy, said:
“Today’s endorsement paves the way for Poland to begin to access €35.4 billion in RRF funding to support investments and reforms that are crucial for the future development of the Polish economy and reflect our commonly agreed priorities. The measures included in the plan – boosting renewable energy, sustainable transport, green hydrogen and energy efficiency – will accelerate Poland’s green transition and increase the country’s energy independence. The plan will contribute to reinforcing public services including education and healthcare, at a time when large numbers of Ukrainians have been welcomed into Poland. It also includes investments to enhance Poland’s digital competitiveness and strengthen cyber-resilience. We have reached this point after long and intensive negotiations, addressing also some fundamental issues related to the rule of law that impact the investment climate. Poland will need to deliver on the key commitments made in this area before any payment can be made.”
Next steps
The Commission has adopted today a proposal for a Council Implementing Decision to provide €23.9 billion in grants and €11.5 billion in loans to Poland under the RRF. The Council will now have, as a rule, four weeks to adopt the Commission’s proposal.
The Commission will authorise disbursements of funds based on the satisfactory fulfilment of the milestones and targets outlined in the recovery and resilience plan, reflecting progress on the implementation of the investments and reforms.
Some milestones are necessary to ensure the effective protection of the Union’s financial interests and must be fulfilled before Poland presents its first payment request.
President von der Leyen travels to Warsaw
Tomorrow, President von der Leyen will travel to Warsaw, where she will present the Commission’s assessment of the Polish recovery and resilience plan under NextGenerationEU. The President will meet Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and the President of the Republic Andrzej Duda. Together, they will visit the headquarters of PSE SA, an electricity transmission operator which is set to receive NextGenerationEU funding to increase the share of renewable in Poland’s electricity system. From there, the three leaders will hold a joint press conference at around 17:30 CEST. The press conference in Warsaw will be broadcast live on EbS.
For More Information
Questions and answers on Poland’s recovery and resilience plan
Factsheet on Poland’s recovery and resilience plan
Staff-working document accompanying the proposal for a Council Implementing Decision
Recovery and Resilience Facility
Recovery and Resilience Scoreboard
Recovery and Resilience Facility Regulation
Recovery and Resilience Facility: Questions and Answers
Questions and answers on Poland’s recovery and resilience plan
1 June 2022
How did the Commission assess Poland’s recovery and resilience plan?
The Commission is assessing the recovery and resilience plans based on eleven criteria set out in the Regulation itself. The 11 criteria require an assessment of whether:
- the measures have a lasting impact;
- the measures address the challenges identified in the country specific recommendations or a significant subset of them;
- the milestones and targets which allow for monitoring the progress with the reforms and investments are clear and realistic;
- the plans meet the 37% climate expenditure target and the 20% digital expenditure target;
- the plans respect the do no significant harm principle;
- the plans provide an adequate control and audit mechanism and set out the plausibility of the costing information.
The Commission has summarised its assessment in the proposal for the Council Implementing Decision. The accompanying staff working document provides detailed documentation on the assessment.
Does Poland’s recovery and resilience plan effectively support the green transition?
The Polish plan’s contribution to the green transition amounts to almost 42.7% of the plan, with an allocation of €15.1 billion. This exceeds the minimum of 37% required by the RRF Regulation.
The implementation of Poland’s plan is expected to contribute significantly to the decarbonisation of the Polish economy by increasing the share of renewable energy in Poland’s energy mix and increasing the energy efficiency of the economy. This includes more than €3.7 billion in funding for offshore wind energy plants and terminal infrastructure, as well as key changes to the regulatory framework which will facilitate the construction of offshore and onshore wind energy plants. Moreover, the plan dedicates €3.5 billion to the energy-efficient renovation of buildings, combined with replacing coal-fired heaters, and provides €800 million to support the development of green hydrogen technologies.
The plan also includes investments worth over €7.5 billion in green and smart mobility. The plan aims to double the number of zero- and low-emission vehicles by 2026 up to 20 000, and to finance the purchase of more than 1,700 zero/low-emission buses serving 4 500 lines across Poland. The plan also includes the removal of 305 blackspots to improve road safety.
Does Poland’s recovery and resilience plan effectively contribute to the digital transition?
The Polish plan’s contribution to the digital transition amounts to more than 21.3% of the plan, with an allocation of €7.5 billion. This exceeds the minimum of 20% required by the RRF Regulation.
The measures in the plan to support Poland’s digital transition include reforms and investments of €420 million in support of the digital transformation of public administration and its offer of e-services to businesses and citizens. This includes the digitisation of invoicing and administrative procedures related to construction and spatial planning.
Support for ensuring access to high-speed internet and 5G network deployment in Poland, with investments of €2.6 billion, is expected to boost the digital efficiency of the economy and reduce the digital divide in society.
Reforms to digitalise education and investments of €1.4 billion in digital infrastructure and equipment for general and vocational schools, as well as in digital skills of teachers, are expected to accelerate the development of digital and information skills in Polish society.
Transformative reforms and investments of €443 million are foreseen to strengthen the State’s cybersecurity capacity. These measures also aim to secure data processing infrastructure to prevent cyber-crimes and increase the level of trust to adopt digital technologies.
In addition, the Polish plan has a strong focus on accelerating the digital transformation of the healthcare system by investing €1 billion to consolidate fragmented national health registries and ensure the interoperability and security of digital health platforms to the benefit of patients.
Does the recovery and resilience plan represent a balanced response to the economic and social situation of Poland?
The Commission considers that the Polish plan represents a comprehensive and adequately balanced response to Poland’s economic and social situation, thereby contributing appropriately to all six pillars of the RRF.
Social and territorial cohesion is supported by several measures, including those aiming to improve the availability and quality of childcare. Some 47 500 new places in nurseries and children’s clubs are to be created, while a new set of quality standards is to be established. Measures strengthening long-term care, vocational training and adult learning would also contribute to this objective.
The plan supports the resilience, accessibility, and effectiveness of the Polish healthcare system with measures such as the restructuring of hospitals and investment support for medical universities to encourage students to choose this study path and improve learning conditions. More than 200 projects will be financed to renovate or modernise medical education facilities, student libraries and dormitories.
The Polish plan includes measures in support of smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth including in the area of research and innovation. It will support companies developing circular economy innovations, competence centres and infrastructure for unmanned vehicles, research laboratories, including for the agri-food sector, as well as a programme for the creative industries. In total, Poland plans to invest close to €1.5 billion to support innovation under its RRP.
The implementation of the plan is expected to contribute to improving the business environment and investment climate in Poland. The plan includes a series of reforms that aim to reduce the administrative and regulatory burden on businesses, to improve public finance management, as well as to enhance the role of public consultations and impact assessments in the law-making process. Reforms strengthening certain aspects of the independence of the judiciary are also expected to contribute to a more investment-friendly climate.
Finally, a significant part of the plan is dedicated to policies for the next generation. In particular, the plan aims to invest in digitalising education and providing pupils and teachers with modernised ICT equipment. The plan also supports the matching of skills and qualifications with labour market requirements in the modern economy.
Do the reforms presented by Poland effectively address a significant part of the country-specific recommendations issued to it in the context of the European Semester?
Poland’s plan includes an extensive set of mutually reinforcing reforms and investments. These contribute to effectively addressing a significant subset of the economic and social challenges outlined in the country-specific recommendations addressed to Poland by the Council in the European Semester in 2019 and in 2020.
The implementation of the plan is expected to contribute to addressing the structural challenges identified in the country-specific recommendations, with investments and reforms in the fields of digitalisation, the green transition, sustainability of transport, labour market participation, adequacy of pension benefits, education and training, health and long-term care, and the investment climate, including with regard to strengthening important aspects of the independence of the Polish judicial system.
Reforms and investments are expected to increase energy efficiency of buildings, accelerate the deployment of renewables, and increase the sustainability and safety of the transport sector. All those measures are expected to significantly contribute to a progressive decarbonisation of the Polish economy.
Through substantial investments and ambitious reforms, the plan is expected to improve the accessibility, effectiveness, and resilience of the healthcare system.
Measures to increase the quality and availability of childcare, as well as a reform and dedicated investments to improve long-term care policies, address the country-specific recommendations in the area of labour market participation.
In the field of adequate and sustainable pensions, the plan includes the creation of tax incentives to prolong careers and increase the effective retirement age. The plan also provides for a reform to increase social protection under various work contracts.
Investments in broadband infrastructure and IT equipment for schools aim at fostering the digital transition and enhancing digital skills. To strengthen the country’s vocational education and training system, the plan supports the creation of sectoral skills centres, in close cooperation with employers, social partners and other stakeholders.
How does the plan address issues related to the independence of the Polish judiciary?
The Commission considers that Poland’s plan contributes to effectively address the recommendation to Poland by the Council to improve the investment climate, by strengthening certain aspects of the independence of the judiciary.
Poland commits to a comprehensive reform of the disciplinary regime applicable to Polish judges. Before the first payment request, and in order to enable the disbursement of any RRF funds, Poland must demonstrate that the following commitments are fulfilled:
- All disciplinary cases against judges will be adjudicated by a court different from the current Disciplinary Chamber, that complies with EU law requirements in line with the case law of the Court of Justice and is thus independent, impartial and established by law;
- Judges cannot be subject to disciplinary liability for submitting a request for a preliminary ruling to the Court of Justice, for the content of their judicial decisions, or for verifying whether another court is independent, impartial, and established by law;
- Procedural rights of parties in disciplinary proceedings are strengthened;
- All judges affected by the past Disciplinary Chamber rulings will have the right to have these rulings reviewed without delay by a court that complies with EU law requirements and is thus independent, impartial and established by law.
The above commitments are without prejudice to any ongoing or future infringement proceedings and to Poland’s obligation to comply with Union law in general, including the rulings of the Court of Justice.
What measures must Poland take before any RRF funds can be disbursed?
Before the disbursement of any RRF funds, Poland must adopt a reform of the disciplinary regime for judges in line with the milestones set out in the plan. This reform must also establish swift review proceedings for judges affected by the past rulings of the Disciplinary Chamber.
Poland must also fulfil a milestone on the implementation of Arachne. This is an IT tool that supports Member States in their anti-fraud activities by enabling them to collect data on final recipients of funds, contractors, subcontractors, and beneficial owners. This data can then be made available upon request.
For More Information
Factsheet on Poland’s recovery and resilience plan
Staff-working document accompanying the proposal for a Council Implementing Decision
Recovery and Resilience Facility
Recovery and Resilience Scoreboard
Recovery and Resilience Facility Regulation
Recovery and Resilience Facility: Questions and Answers
EU-Abgeordneter Daniel Caspary (EVP/CDU) zur Freigabe der Gelder für den polnischen Wiederaufbauplan durch die EU-Kommission
Zu einer möglichen Freigabe der Gelder für den polnischen Wiederaufplan durch die EU-Kommission erklärt Daniel Caspary (CDU), Vorsitzender der CDU/CSU-Gruppe im Europaparlament:
„Was Polen und die polnische Bevölkerung im Rahmen des russischen Angriffs auf die Ukraine leisten, verdient unseren Respekt und vor allem auch unsere europäische Solidarität. Die polnische Aufnahmebereitschaft für geflohene Ukrainerinnen und Ukrainer und die generelle polnische Unterstützung der Ukraine sucht ihresgleichen. Genauso wissen wir auch die bisherigen polnischen Anstrengungen zu schätzen, den Konflikt mit der Europäischen Union hinsichtlich des polnischen Rechtstaats etwas zu beruhigen.
Die eingeschlagene Weg stimmt, aber der Weg ist noch lang.
Die Kommission kann anfangen, den Scheck für den polnischen Wiederaufbauplan auszufüllen, aber darf ihn erst unterschreiben, wenn Polen wirklich alle Reformen in Sachen Rechtstaatlichkeit durchgeführt hat. Bei Rechtstaatlichkeit darf es keine faulen Kompromisse geben.”
Via Email
EU-Abgeordneter Markus Ferber (EVP/CSU) fordert striktes Monitoring der Umsetzung: Fortschritt, aber kein Freifahrtschein
„Polen hat sich in den vergangenen Wochen auf die EU zubewegt. Es ist aber noch nicht alles Gold, was glänzt. Die Kommission muss nun mit Argusaugen über die Umsetzung des polnischen Plans wachen und sofort die Notbremse betätigen, sollte es Rückschritte bei der Rechtsstaatlichkeit geben“, so der CSU-Europaabgeordnete und wirtschaftspolitische Sprecher der EVP-Fraktion, Markus Ferber, anlässlich der heutigen Ankündigung der Europäischen Kommission dem polnischen Aufbau- und Resilienzplan das grüne Licht zu geben. Nur nachdem die nationalen Pläne von Kommission und Rat abgesegnet wurden, kann ein Mitgliedstaat Mittel aus dem Aufbaufonds beantragen.
Polens Zugeständnisse sollten Vorbild für Ungarn sein:
„Der monatelange Dialog mit Polen hat am Ende zu substantiellen Fortschritten geführt. An der polnischen Verhandlungsbereitschaft sollte sich auch Viktor Orban ein Beispiel nehmen. Bei Ungarn sieht die Situation noch immer deutlich düsterer aus als in Polen“, so Ferber. Für den CSU-Europapolitiker ist daher klar: „Die Kommission sollte nun nicht der Versuchung erliegen, auch den ungarischen Plan einfach durchzuwinken, nur weil man des ewigen Streits überdrüssig ist und ein lästiges Thema vom Tisch haben will.“
Kein Freifahrtschein:
Der CSU-Europaabgeordnete betont, dass es trotz des grünen Lichts für den Gesamtplan eine intensive Überwachung der Umsetzung des polnischen Plans braucht: „Die Entscheidung darf nicht bedeuten, dass Polen nun einfach den Geldhahn aufdrehen kann und europäisches Geld fließt. Jede Zahlung ist an die Erfüllung von Meilensteinen gekoppelt, da darf die Kommission gerade bei Polen kein Auge zudrücken.“ Für Ferber ist deswegen auch klar: „Wenn auch nur der Anschein besteht, dass die polnische Regierung die jüngst verabschiedete Justizreform wieder zurückdrehen will, muss die Kommission umgehend die Reißleine ziehen.“
Via Email
S&D Group: ‘No recovery money until all conditions are met’, Iratxe García reminds von der Leyen ahead of her trip to Poland
(EN/PL)
Ahead of the visit by the Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Warsaw tomorrow, Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament recall that the three conditions to benefit from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the so-called milestones – dismantling a controversial disciplinary chamber for judges; reforming the disciplinary regime; and reinstating dismissed judges – have not yet been met by the Polish government.
S&D leader Iratxe García Pérez said:
“First of all, I am glad that the Polish government has finally admitted that it must deliver on the three conditions set up by the European Commission last year, and this includes the reform of the judiciary system to restore its independence. However, we are not there yet.
“We need meaningful, and not just cosmetic changes, to fully restore the rule of law in Poland. Any disbursement of the post-Covid recovery money for Poland must not happen until all conditions set by the European Court of Justice are met. Furthermore, changes must not only be meaningful, but also maintained. The Commission must scrupulously verify if there is no reversal or regress before any new instalment of recovery funds is paid.
“I hope this is the message that President von der Leyen will bring to Prime Minister Morawiecki tomorrow: that all EU citizens deserve the same rights, and the Commission cannot accept a lower standard of democracy and rule of law in any member state. Polish citizens deserve no less.
“It is unacceptable that the PiS government keeps Polish people hostage, when it could receive 36 billion euros from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, by continuously dismantling what used to be an independent judiciary. No more time should be wasted. Poland, like other countries, has been hit by the pandemic and Polish people need this stimulus money.”
Nie może być mowy o funduszach odbudowy, dopóki Polska nie spełni wszystkich warunków, Iratxe Garcia do von der Leyen
Przed jutrzejszą wizytą w Warszawie przewodniczącej Komisji Europejskiej Ursuli von der Leyen, Socjaliści i Demokraci w Parlamencie Europejskim przypominają, że trzy warunki, tzw. kamienie milowe, by Polska mogła skorzystać z Funduszu Odbudowy – likwidacja kontrowersyjnej Izby Dyscyplinarnej, reforma systemu dyscyplinarnego i przywrócenie do pracy zdymisjonowanych sędziów – nie zostały jeszcze spełnione przez polski rząd.
Przywódczyni Grupy S&D Iratxe Garcia Perez powiedziała:
„Przede wszystkim cieszę się, że polski rząd wreszcie przyznał, że musi spełnić trzy warunki postawione przez Komisję Europejską już w zeszłym roku, w tym zreformowanie sądownictwa w celu przywrócenia jego niezależności. Wciąż do tego daleko. Potrzebujemy głębokich, a nie kosmetycznych zmian, aby w pełni przywrócić rządy prawa w Polsce. Dopóki nie zostaną spełnione wszystkie warunki określone przez Europejski Trybunał Sprawiedliwości, dopóty do Polski nie mogą trafić żadne środki z unijnego Funduszu Odbudowy na uzdrowienie gospodarki po pandemii Covid. Co więcej: zmiany muszą być nie tylko znaczące, ale trwale. Komisja musi skrupulatnie sprawdzić, czy nie ma regresu przed wypłaceniem jakiejkolwiek nowej raty środków.
„Mam nadzieję, że to właśnie przesłanie przewodnicząca Von der Leyen jutro przekaże premierowi Morawieckiemu: wszyscy obywatele UE zasługują na te same prawa, a Komisja nie może zaakceptować niższych standardów demokracji i rządów prawa w żadnym państwie członkowskim. Obywatele polscy zasługują na nie mniej.
„Niedopuszczalne jest, aby Polacy byli zakładnikami rządu PiS, który kontynuuje demontaż tego, co kiedyś było niezawisłym sądownictwem. Przez to są pozbawiani możliwości otrzymania 36 miliardów euro z Funduszu Odbudowy. Polski Krajowy Plan musi być zgodny z unijnym rozporządzeniem o Instrumencie na rzecz Odbudowy i Zwiększania Odporności, a trzy kamienie milowe muszą zostać spełnione. Nie można tracić czasu. Polska, podobnie jak inne kraje, została dotknięta pandemią i Polacy potrzebują tych stymulujących gospodarkę pieniędzy.”
Renew Europe: No recovery fund until Polish PiS Government complies with all ECJ rulings
June 1, 2022
The reports of a deal between the European Commission and the Polish government on measures which would allow the release of the €36 billion Recovery Plan for the PiS Government despite their consistent trashing of the rule of law is concerning.
Renew Europe, along with a series of experts, seriously doubt that the agreed measures are sufficient to ensure Poland is compliant with EU standards and with the rulings of the European Court of Justice.
Our group urgently demands a detailed explanation from European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen. The President should appear before the European Parliament in next week’s plenary session and clarify the full details of the deal and the precise conditions for disbursing the EU funds.
We should not accept merely small, inadequate cosmetic changes to Poland’s seriously politicised legal system in exchange for the EU funds. We won’t be able to stand up to autocrats abroad by placating those who unravel democracy at home. We will defend the rights of Polish EU citizens who want freedom and democratic rights.
Róża Thun und Hohenstein (Poland, Polska2050), Member of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), commented the deal:
“We struggled against the communist oppression because we wanted to live in a democratic country which respects the Rule of Law. We undertook all efforts to join the EU because we believed that it is a guarantee of peace and our common values. We trusted that in the case of danger of deviation from the tripartition of powers, those who are guardian of the treaties will protect free and independent courts everywhere in the EU. If this should not be the priority anymore, the unique, wonderful construction, namely the European Union, will start to rot. And this is the last thing that we need and those who come after us.”
Sophie in ‘t Veld (Netherlands, D66), Coordinator in LIBE, added:
“Ursula von der Leyen committed herself to the promise of ‘no compromise’ on the Rule of Law. Exactly such a compromise is now in the works with Poland; a short-term political deal with lasting irreparable damage to the EU as a community of laws. The President is wasting her Commission’s credibility as guardian of the EU’s treaties and its legal order. She should be held to account for that.”