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

MEPs from the Civil Liberties and Constitutional Affairs committees are in Poland to look into the rule of law situation. They exchanges views with Tomasz Grodzki, Marshal of the Senate and representatives of political parties in Senate, as well as with the National Council for the Judiciary. At the Liaison Office of the EP, members meet also professional associations of judges, prosecutors and lawyers.

EP LIBE and AFCO delegations to Poland, Warsaw: meeting with representatives of the National Council for the Judiciary, meeting with Senate members

An EP delegation from the Civil Liberties and Constitutional Affairs committees travel to Warsaw to look into the rule of law situation in Poland, in the framework of the ongoing Article 7 procedure. MEPs meet with Representatives of the parliamentary groups of the Sejm. Statements by Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik, Member of the PProf. Zbigniew Holda Association, Michal Wawrykiewicz, Representative of Wolne Sady / Free court initiative, Urszula Grycuk, International Advocacy Coordinator, Federation for Women and Familly planning, Marta Lempart, Leader of Ogolnopolski Strajk Kobiet/Women's Strike, Jakub Sypiański, Representative of Grupa Granica, Tomasz Pietrzak, Representative fundacja Ocalenie, Legal Team Coordinator Centrum Pomocy Cudzoziemco/Help Centre fo Foreigners and Erwa Wrzosek, Prosecutor.

EP LIBE and AFCO delegations to Poland, Warsaw: roundtable and statements by NGO representatives

A delegation from the Civil Liberties and Constitutional Affairs Committees travels to Warsaw. They assess the rule of law situation, including the issue of the primacy of EU law, in the framework of the ongoing “Article 7” procedure on possible breach of EU values against Poland.

EP LIBE and AFCO delegations to Poland, Warsaw: arrival of the delegations, statement and roundtable with NGO representatives

MEPs quiz the Commission and the Council on the proposal to adapt EU asylum rules in Poland, Latvia and Lithuania to deal with migrants coming from Belarus. Closing statements by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission and by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The proposed Council decision on provisional emergency measures for the external border with Belarus: closing statements by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission and by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs

MEPs quiz the Commission and the Council on the proposal to adapt EU asylum rules in Poland, Latvia and Lithuania to deal with migrants coming from Belarus.

The proposed Council decision on provisional emergency measures for the external border with Belarus: MEPs debate

MEPs quiz the Commission and the Council on the proposal to adapt EU asylum rules in Poland, Latvia and Lithuania to deal with migrants coming from Belarus. Opening statements by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs and by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life.

The proposed Council decision on provisional emergency measures for the external border with Belarus: opening statements by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs and by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission

MEPs debate the Commission and the Council on the proposal to adapt EU asylum rules in Poland, Latvia and Lithuania to deal with migrants coming from Belarus.

The proposed Council decision on provisional emergency measures for the external border with Belarus: extracts from the debate

MEPs comment on the 24 November ruling by the Polish constitutional tribunal that declared parts of the European Convention on Human Rights incompatible with the Polish constitution. MEPs debate also about the state of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the country. Opening statements by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs and by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life.

Plans to undermine further fundamental rights in Poland: opening statements by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission

MEPs comment on the 24 November ruling by the Polish constitutional tribunal that declared parts of the European Convention on Human Rights incompatible with the Polish constitution. MEPs debate also about the state of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the country. Closing statements by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life and by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Plans to undermine further fundamental rights in Poland: closing statements by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs and by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission

MEPs comment on the 24 November ruling by the Polish constitutional tribunal that declared parts of the European Convention on Human Rights incompatible with the Polish constitution. MEPs debate also about the state of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the country.

Plans to undermine further fundamental rights in Poland: MEPs debate

The Belarusian dictatorial regime has been funneling migrants primarily from the Middle East to the country’s border with the EU, and in particular Poland, as revenge for EU-imposed sanctions. MEPs debate on the situation in Belarus and at its border with the EU and the security and humanitarian consequences.

Situation in Belarus and at its border with the EU and the security and humanitarian consequences: extracts from the debate

MEPs vote on the first anniversary of the de facto abortion ban in Poland - motions for resolutions. For the full list of the votes please check the background section.

Voting session, in particular: the first anniversary of the de facto abortion ban in Poland

Announcement of the results of the second voting session, including the Final votes on the motions for resolutions - Pandora Papers; - the Rule of law crisis in Poland and the primacy of EU law.

Announcement of the results of votes on Pandora Papers and on the Rule of law in Poland

MEPs debate and vote on a resolution that marks the one-year anniversary of the near-total abortion ban in Poland. The controversial ruling of Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal, which came into force in January 2021 and restricts legal abortion to cases of rape or incest, or when the pregnancy endangers the mother’s life, has prompted months of protests.

The first anniversary of the de facto abortion ban in Poland: MEPs debate

MEPs will debate and vote on a resolution that marks the one-year anniversary of the near-total abortion ban in Poland. The controversial ruling of Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal, which came into force in January 2021 and restricts legal abortion to cases of rape or incest, or when the pregnancy endangers the mother’s life, has prompted months of protests. Opening statements by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs and by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

The first anniversary of the de facto abortion ban in Poland: opening statements by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs and by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

MEPs debate and vote on a resolution that marks the one-year anniversary of the near-total abortion ban in Poland. The controversial ruling of Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal, which came into force in January 2021 and restricts legal abortion to cases of rape or incest, or when the pregnancy endangers the mother’s life, has prompted months of protests. Closing statements by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality and by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The first anniversary of the de facto abortion ban in Poland: closing statements by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality and by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs

Parliament debates the recent ruling of the Polish Constitutional Tribunal during the plenary session in Strasbourg. MEPs discuss the contentious verdict of Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal, which states that cornerstone provisions of the Treaty on the EU (Art. 1 and 19) are unconstitutional under Polish law. Closing statements by Political groups leaders in reverse order.

The Rule of law crisis in Poland and the primacy of EU law: political groups leaders in reverse order

Parliament debates the recent ruling of the Polish Constitutional Tribunal during the plenary session in Strasbourg. MEPs discuss the contentious verdict of Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal, which states that cornerstone provisions of the Treaty on the EU (Art. 1 and 19) are unconstitutional under Polish law. Closing statements by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission and Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Rule of law crisis in Poland and the primacy of EU law: closing statements by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission and Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs

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