Poland is a member of the EU since 1st of May 2004 and member of the Schengen area since 21st December 2007.

Poland is a parliamentary republic with a Head of government - the Prime Minister - and a Head of state - the President. The government structure is centred on the council of Ministers. The country is divided into 16 provinces, largely based on the country’s historic regions. Administrative authority at provincial level is shared between a government-appointed Governor, an elected regional Assembly and an executive elected by the regional Assembly.

There are 51 members of the European Parliament from Poland.

EU - Poland

Rule of law is laid down in the EU treaties as one of the values on which the Union is based. It means that governments should be bound by law&nbsp;not to take arbitrary decisions, and that citizens should be able to challenge their actions in independent courts.

It also enshrines the fight against corruption, which unfairly favours some to the detriment of others, and the safeguarding of media freedom, thus ensuring that the public is properly informed about the work of government.

The EU has existing tools at its disposal to protect the rule of law. In&nbsp;September 2020, the European Commission published the first annual rule of law&nbsp;report monitoring both positive and negative developments with regard to the rule of law in all member states. In July 2021 the second edition of the report was published.

There is also&nbsp;dialogue on the rule of law in the Council.

If the Commission deems that a member state is violating EU law, it can start infringement proceedings that may lead to financial sanctions determined by the European Court of Justice. Another procedure, under Article 7 of the Treaty of the European Union, allows the Council to make recommendations or decide by unanimity on sanctions against a member state, including the suspension of membership rights.&nbsp;MEPs have argued that existing tools are insufficient.

​Under the new regulation, effective from January 2021, EU budget payments can be witheld from countries where established breaches of the rule of law compromise management of EU funds. At the same time, the EU ensures that final beneficiaries do not end up paying the bill.

Rule of law

Since the Law and Justice party (PiS) won both the presidential and parliamentary elections in Poland in autumn 2015, the new government has undertaken a series of reforms that critics say restrict democracy.

Freedom and pluralism: President Schulz of Parliament, and Commission vice-president Timmermans have voiced concern for the freedom and pluralism of Poland’s public-service television and radio and for the status of the Constitutional Court. On 13 January the Commission decided to start the first stage of the "Framework for addressing systemic threats to the Rule of Law" in Poland.

Women’s rights in Poland: the current sexual and reproductive health law in Poland is among the most restrictive in the EU but it does reflect a political consensus reached by all the parties years ago. This consensus has recently been put at risk by the pro-life movements calling for a total ban on abortion. Their “Pro- Right to Life” proposal (“citizen initiative”) and the restrictive act on IVF have been passed on for further work in the Polish parliament while a “Save the Women” proposal (a rival bid to liberalise access to legal abortion and introduce a large package of sexual and reproductive health services”) has been rejected despite earlier assurances that citizens’ initiatives will not be rejected without consideration in committees.

Rule of law in Poland - 8th parliamentary term

Rule of law is laid down in the EU treaties as one of the values on which the Union is based. It means that governments should be bound by law, that they should not take arbitrary decisions and that citizens should be able to challenge their actions in independent courts.

In view of possible democratic backsliding in Poland and in particular due to the threat to judicial independence, the European Commission initiated in December 2017 an Article 7 procedure to address a possible risk of breach of EU common values.

The Parliament has ever since repeatedly asked the Council to act and in September 2020 warned about the continuous deterioration of the situation in the country, pointing to “overwhelming evidence” of those breaches. Following the October 2021 ruling by the Polish Constitutional, the Polish government’s challenge of the established primacy of EU law was added to Parliament’s long list of concerns.

These include the powers to revise the constitution taken on by the Polish parliament since 2015, expedited legislative procedures and electoral law changes; the broad changes to the country’s judiciary, including appointments and disciplinary procedures; the situation of freedom of expression, media freedom and pluralism; and the criminalisation of sexual education and the de facto ban on abortion.

Rule of law in Poland

Under Article 2 TEU, the EU is founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights.

Article 7 TEU establishes two mechanisms (preventive and sanctioning mechanisms) to enforce European Union values in cases of systemic violations and to sanction Member States departing from them. The sanctions mechanism empowers the Council to suspend certain membership rights of a Member State, including voting rights in the Council in cases of a 'serious and persistent breach' of EU values (Article 7(2)TFEU)’. However, these mechanisms require a high decision-making threshold in the Council and in the European Parliament (when Parliament is called to participate) and rely heavily on Member States’ willingness to take action.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/rule-of-law-8th-parliamentary-term_10601_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Rule of law (2020)

Since the Law and Justice party (PiS) won both the presidential and parliamentary elections in Poland in autumn 2015, the government has undertaken a series of reforms that critics say restrict democracy.

Under the rule of law, governmental powers are limited by law and may be exercised only on the basis of law. An independent judiciary is indispensable to guaranteeing this state of affairs, and appropriate procedures, including legal remedies, must be in place to guarantee that individuals can protect their rights and trigger judicial review of governmental action.

Should an EU Member State be suspected of breaching the rule of law, a number of procedures are available to verify this and, if needed, remedy the situation.

Rule of law in Poland (2019-2020)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Polish Marshals of Sejm and Senate

MEPs discuss the programme of Poland’s six-month Council Presidency, which started on 1 January, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

The Polish government has stated that its second EU Presidency comes “at a time of uncertainty and concern” with regard to the consequences of Russia’s three-year-long war against Ukraine, rising geopolitical tensions, migration pressure and declining European competitiveness. The presidency’s slogan "Security, Europe!" expresses Poland’s objective to strengthen European security in all dimensions: external, internal, information, economic, energy, food and health.

Debate on the priorities of the Polish Presidency

During her official visit to Poland, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola participated in a series of high-profile engagements that underscored the importance of EU-Poland relations. 

The visit began with a meeting between President Metsola and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister in Warsaw. 

Following this, President Metsola attended the "The Future of Poland 2024" event at the University of Warmia and Mazury. During the event, she delivered a speech.. The subsequent Q&A session was moderated by Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland

EP President Roberta Metsola meets the Mayor of Gdansk, Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, participates in a Town Hall discussion with young people and visits the European Solidarity Centre. The President also  meets Lech Wałęsa, former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and lays flowers at the Monument of Fallen Shipyard Workers.

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland (Gdansk)

EP President Roberta Metsola visits the Warsaw Rising Museum,meets the Prime Minister of Poland and jointly speak to the press. She also meets the Marshal of the Senate of Poland, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska,  addresses the Senate of Poland,  meets the Marshal of the Sejm of Poland, Szymon Hołownia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Radoslaw Sikorski and participates in a Town Hall discussion with young people.The President also inaugurates the Europe Experience in Warsaw and delivers the Keynote Address of the Academic Year at the College of Europe in Natolin.

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland (Warsaw)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Radoslaw SIKORSKI, Polish Minister for Foreign affairs

European Parliamentary Week 2025  - Opening session

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Szymon HOŁOWNIA Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Małgorzata KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA, Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland

LEX signing ceremony in presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Adam SZLAPKA, Polish Minister for the European Union on behalf of the Polish Presidency

Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister meets with Polish MEPs

EP Plenary session - Presentation of the programme of activities of the Polish Presidency

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Andrzej DOMANSKI, Polish Minister of Finance

Keynote Speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at a discussion organised by Polityka Insight

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council: meeting with Szymon HOŁOWNIA, Marshal of the Sejm and Małgorzata Maria KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA, Marshal of the Senate of Poland

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council: Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Szymon HOŁOWNIA, Marshal of the Sejm and Małgorzata Maria KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA, Marshal of the Senate of Poland

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council: Meeting with Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister and the Polish Government

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council: Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland - Participation to The Future of Poland 2024 event, at the University of Warmia and Mazury

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland - Meeting with Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland (Warsaw) - Flower Laying moment at the Monument of Fallen Shipyard Workers

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland (Warsaw) - Meeting with Lech WALESA, Former President of Poland & Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland (Warsaw) - Tour of the Permanent Exhibition Centre

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland (Warsaw) - Townhall Discussion

Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, and Younous OMARJEE, Chair of the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) of the European Parliament, visit the reception centre of Ukrainain refugees Punkt pobytowy Wołoska 7.

Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, and Younous OMARJEE, President of REGI Committee, visit a reception centre of Ukrainain refugees in Poland

Rafał TRZASKOWSKI, Mayor of the Capital City Of Warsaw, Elisa FERREIRA, EU Commissioner for Cohesion and Reform, Younous OMARJEE, Chair of REGI Committee, and Jerzy OWSIAK, President of the WOŚP Foundation, give a joint press briefing.

Press briefing by Rafał TRZASKOWSKI, Mayor of the Capital City Of Warsaw, Elisa FERREIRA, EU Commissioner for Cohesion and Reform, Younous OMARJEE, Chair of REGI Committee, and Jerzy OWSIAK, President of the WOŚP Foundation

MEPs quiz the Council and the Commission about their response so far to the democratic backslide in Hungary and Poland. However, despite the deterioration of the situation in both countries over the last few years, the Council has avoided holding a vote to determine whether there is “a clear risk of a serious breach” of the EU’s common values, the next step in the procedure set out in Article 7. MEPs urge the French Presidency of the Council to move forward, and quiz the Commission on other measures to ensure rule of law is respected. Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency.

Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Poland and Hungary: closing statements by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission

MEPs quiz the Council and the Commission about their response so far to the democratic backslide in Hungary and Poland. However, despite the deterioration of the situation in both countries over the last few years, the Council has avoided holding a vote to determine whether there is “a clear risk of a serious breach” of the EU’s common values, the next step in the procedure set out in Article 7. MEPs urge the French Presidency of the Council to move forward, and quiz the Commission on other measures to ensure rule of law is respected.

Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Poland and Hungary: Catch the eye interventions

Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Poland and Hungary: MEPs debate (part 2/2)

Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Poland and Hungary: MEPs debate (part 1/2)

Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms and Younous OMARJEE, President of REGI Committee, participate in the Committee of Regions event “Regional and local dimension of the Ukrainian War" in Rzeszów, Poland to discuss the impact of the Ukrainian war on EU's regional and local authorities, aid available to refugees from the EU budget, and support offered by regions and cities in the EU.

Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms and Younous OMARJEE, President of REGI Committee, participate in the Committee of Regions event “Regional and local dimension of the Ukrainian War"

MEPs quiz the Council and the Commission about their response so far to the democratic backslide in Hungary and Poland. However, despite the deterioration of the situation in both countries over the last few years, the Council has avoided holding a vote to determine whether there is “a clear risk of a serious breach” of the EU’s common values, the next step in the procedure set out in Article 7. Opening statements by Clément BEAUNE, French Minister of State for European Affairs and by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency.

Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Poland and Hungary: opening statements by Clément BEAUNE, French Minister of State for European Affairs and by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission

Statements by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA,FR) and by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D,ES), rapporteurs. In a plenary debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs take stock of EU action to counter the democratic backslide in Hungary and Poland.

Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Poland and Hungary: extracts from the debate and statements by the rapporteurs

Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, travels with Younous OMARJEE, President of REGI Committee to Poland to discuss with national and regional authorities and civil society organisations EU’s support for Member States’ efforts in receiving and accommodating refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, notably the initiatives recently proposed by the Commission under the Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe. Commissioner Elisa FERREIRA and Younous OMARJEE, President of REGI Committee visit the reception centre in Hala Kijowska in Młyny, Poland.

Visit to the reception centre in Hala Kijowska in Młynym, Poland, of Commissioner Elisa FERREIRA in Poland and Younous OMARJEE, President of REGI Committee

Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, travels with Younous OMARJEE, President of REGI Committee to Poland to discuss with national and regional authorities and civil society organisations EU’s support for Member States’ efforts in receiving and accommodating refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, notably the initiatives recently proposed by the Commission under the Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe. They meet zith Grzegorz PUDA, Polish Minister of Agriculture and visit the border crossing in Korczowa.

Visit at border crossing in Korczowa by Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Grzegorz PUDA, Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and by Younous OMARJEE, President of REGI Committee

Grzegorz PUDA, Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Younous OMARJEE, President of the REGI Committee in the European Parliament and Ewa LENIART, Member of the Sejm and Governor of Podkarpackie Region speak to the press following their visit to the Korczowa border crossing with Ukraine and their meeting with regional and local representatives, as well as NGOs working in the reception and accommodation of refugees.

Joint press point by Grzegorz PUDA, Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Younous OMARJEE, President of the REGI Committee and Ewa LENIART, Member of the Sejm

This Infoclip shows a new refugee reception centre which opens in Warsaw. The centre of Warsaw East Station is set up to receive 2.500 people a day fleeing the war in neighbouring Ukraine. The organisations (NRC, the Polish Centre for International Aid and the city of Warsaw) provide meals, medical services and psychological support to the refugees.

Infoclip: refugees fleeing the war against Ukraine (Warsaw, Poland)

EP President Roberta Metsola, together with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, meet with Ukrainians having fled the war at the Otwock school in the region of Warsaw. They speak to the press after meeting the refugees.

Press Point by Mateusz MORAWIECKI, Polish Prime Minister and Roberta METSOLA, EP President

EP President Roberta Metsola, together with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, meet with Ukrainians having fled the war at the Otwock school in the region of Warsaw.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Mateusz MORAWIECKI, Polish Prime Minister, visit the Otwock School hosting Ukrainians fleeing war (Warsaw region)

This infoclip includes various views of Warsaw including skyline, the Palace of Culture, the Central station and the Supreme Court.

Infoclip: Infoclip: Warsaw (Poland) - city views

The EP delegation ended its three-day visit to Poland, where MEPs met politicians, judges, civil society and journalists, to assess the rule of law situation. They meet with Judges and prosecutors affected by disciplinary / criminal proceedings for applying EU Law. Statements by Gabriel Bischoff (S&D, DE), first Vice-President of the Constitutional Affairs Committee, Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D, ES), Chair of the Civil Liberties Committee and Othmar Karas (EPP, AT), EP first Vice-President

EP LIBE and AFCO delegations to Poland, Warsaw: meeting with Judges and statements by co-chairs of the delegation

Press point by Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D, ES), Chair of the Civil Liberties Committee, Gabriele Bischoff (S&D, DE), first Vice-President of the Constitutional Affairs Committee and Othmar Karas (EPP, AT), EP first Vice-President.

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