The European Union’s top justice official stated that the new government in Poland needs time to improve the independence of the judiciary before the bloc can release more funds. This comes as Warsaw seeks to restore the rule of law and access billions in aid.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk met with the EU’s chief executive and announced that 5 billion euros of aid would be transferred, which was previously frozen due to democratic backsliding.
Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders stated that it may take weeks or months to unlock Poland’s access to further funds, emphasizing the need to see reforms in the judiciary.
Reynders cited the need to end proceedings against judges by a contested disciplinary chamber as an example of a necessary fix that could be made without passing new laws.
The 5 billion euros of aid comes without the EU’s usual rule of law conditions and is part of Poland’s 60 billion euro COVID recovery stimulus.
Warsaw has applied for another 7 billion euros in aid but must make progress in meeting the bloc’s democratic requirements to receive it. The same applies for an additional 75 billion euros in development assistance assigned to Poland under the EU’s 2021-27 budget.
The previous government in Poland faced criticism for influencing the judiciary and damaging democratic checks and balances. The EU and international watchdogs condemned Warsaw for putting courts and judges under political influence.
(Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska; editing by Christina Fincher)
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