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

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

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)

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)

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

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland (Warsaw) - Meeting with Alessandra DULKIEWICZ, Mayor of Gdansk

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland (Warsaw) - Address of the Academic Year 2023-2024

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland (Warsaw) - Bilateral Meeting with Adam BODNAR, Polish Minister for Justice

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland (Warsaw) - Inauguration of the Europa Experience

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland (Warsaw) - Townhall Discussion with Young Poles at the University of Warsaw

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland (Warsaw) - Bilateral Meeting with Radoslaw SIKORSKI, Polish Minister for Foreign affairs

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland (Warsaw) - Bilateral Meeting with Szymon HOLOWNIA, Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland (Warsaw) - Adress to the Senate of the Republic of Poland

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland (Warsaw) - Bilateral Meeting with Malgorzata KIDAWA-BLONSKA, Marshal of the senate of the Republic of Poland

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland (Warsaw) - Meeting with Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Donald TUSK, Former President of the European Council

Roberta METSOLA, EP President receives the 'IN VERITATE' award 2023

On the occasion of her official visit to Poland, EP President Roberta METSOLA makes a statement during her participation in the "The Future of Poland 2024" event, at the University of Warmia and Mazury.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Olsztyn (Poland): statement by Roberta METSOLA at "The Future of Poland 2024" event, at the University of Warmia and Mazury

On the occasion of her official visit to Poland, EP President Roberta METSOLA participates in a questions and answers session in the "The Future of Poland 2024" event, at the University of Warmia and Mazury.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Olsztyn (Poland): questions and answers with Roberta METSOLA, EP President, at "The Future of Poland 2024" event, at the University of Warmia and Mazury

On the occasion of her official visit to Poland, EP President Roberta METSOLA participates to the "The Future of Poland 2024" event, at the University of Warmia and Mazury where she makes a statement and participates in a questions and answers session, with Rafal TRZASKOWSKI, Mayor of Warsaw. Roberta METSOLA, EP President talks about her commitment to a strong rule of law in Poland, the priorities of the new Parliament, the Artificial Intelligence Act, the situation in Gaza.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Olsztyn (Poland): extracts from the participation to "The Future of Poland 2024" event at the University of Warmia and Mazury

On the occasion of her official visit to Poland, EP President Roberta METSOLA meets with Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister at the building of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister in Warsaw.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Warsaw (Poland): arrival and meeting with Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister

First publication of available national estimates from Romania, Poland, Portugal and Sweden at 21.40. On Sunday 9th June 2024, the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels transforms into a press room on the occasion of the election night. Over several hours, journalists from all over Europe follow the results thanks to national estimates and exit polling data. From 6 to 9 June 2024, around 360 million Europeans are called to the polls to elect the 720 members of the next European Parliament. The constitutive session of the newly elected Parliament will take place in July, in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

European Elections Night 2024 - First publication of available national estimates from Romania, Poland, Portugal and Sweden

This news item shows excerpts from Polish voters casting their ballots and engaging in civic duty at the polling station at the Wedding Palace in Warsaw (Poland). Moreover, this news includes exterior shots of the city of Warsaw. Polish citizens along with other citizens of every EU Member State elect their representatives to the European Parliament during the European elections, in Poland on 9th of June. The newly elected 53 Polish Members, representing EU citizens until 2029, meet in July with other representatives to elect their President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors. They decide on the composition of Parliament's standing and sub committees - thereby launching the new legislative term.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling station at the Wedding Palace in Warsaw (Poland)

This news item shows excerpts from Polish voters casting their ballots and engaging in civic duty in the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw (Poland). Moreover, it includes exterior shots of the main locations in the city of Warsaw. Polish citizens along with other citizens of every EU Member State elect their representatives to the European Parliament during the European elections, in Poland on 9th of June. The newly elected 53 Polish Members, representing EU citizens until 2029, meet in July with other representatives to elect their President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors. They decide on the composition of Parliament's standing and sub committees - thereby launching the new legislative term.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling station at the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw (Poland)

EP President Roberta Metsola, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, former EP President Pat Cox, and former Commission President Romano Prodi participates in a formal sitting of Parliament to mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement round along with representatives from the ten countries, that joined the EU 20 years ago. During the ceremony, the guests answer questions from a group of young people born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, who are invited to attend the sitting.

20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement: extracts from the ceremony

European Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement On Wednesday morning, MEPs, EU and member state representatives, and young people born in May 2004, will mark the ten countries joining the EU 20 years ago. On this occasion, EP President Roberta Metsola welcomes Leszek MILLER, Pat COX, Günter VERHEUGEN, Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA, Peter MEDGYESSY, Lawrence GONZI, Anton ROP, Mikulas DZURINDA, Kristiina OJULAND, Giorgios IACOVOU, Antanas VALIONIS, Pavel TELIČKA and Romano PRODI

20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement: extracts from the arrivals

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, meets with Adam BODNAR, Polish Minister for Justice, on the occasion of her official visit to Warsaw (Poland).

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Warsaw (Poland): bilateral meeting with Adam BODNAR, Polish Minister for Justice

On the occasion of her official visit to Poland, EP President Roberta METSOLA meets with Lech WALESA, former President of Poland.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Gdansk (Poland): meeting with Lech WAŁĘSA, former President of Poland and Flower-Laying Ceremony at the Monument of Fallen Shipyard Workers

On the occasion of her official visit to Poland, Roberta METSOLA, President of European Parliament has a discussion and meets with young people, as part of the "Gdansk Civic Lesson".

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Gdansk (Poland): extracts from the townhall meeting with young people as part of the "Gdansk Civic Lesson"

On the occasion of her official visit to Poland, EP President Roberta METSOLA meets with Aleksandra DULKIEWICZ, Mayor of Gdansk and with young people as part of the "Gdansk Civic Lesson". She also visits of the permanent exhibition of the European Solidarity Centre devoted to the history of Solidarność and to changes that it triggered in Central and Eastern Europe.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Gdansk (Poland): extracts from the meeting with Aleksandra DULKIEWICZ, Mayor of Gdansk, young people and visit of the permanent exhibition of the European Solidarity Centre

The College of Europe in Natolin welcomes Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament. After a welcome address by Ewa OŚNIECKA-TAMECKA, Vice-Rector of the College of Europe and Federica MOGHERINI, Rector of the College of Europe, she delivers a keynote address to the Natolin students of the Madeleine Albright academic year 2023/2024. The address takes place in the Auditorium Copernicus in the presence of the representatives of the Polish authorities, of the College authorities, and diplomatic corps.

Welcome address by Ewa OŚNIECKA-TAMECKA, Vice-Rector of the College of Europe and Federica MOGHERINI, Rector of the College of Europe to the Natolin students of the Madeleine Albright academic year 2023/2024

The College of Europe in Natolin welcomes Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament. After a welcome address by Ewa OŚNIECKA-TAMECKA, Vice-Rector of the College of Europe, she delivers a keynote address to the Natolin students of the Madeleine Albright academic year 2023/2024. The address takes place in the Auditorium Copernicus in the presence of the representatives of the Polish authorities, of the College authorities, and diplomatic corps.

Keynote address by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to the Natolin students of the Madeleine Albright academic year 2023/2024

On the occasion of her official visit to Poland, EP President Roberta METSOLA meets with Szymon HOLOWNIA, President of the Polish Parliament (Sejm).

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Warsaw (Poland): extracts from the arrival at the Sejm (Polish Parliament) and meeting with Szymon HOLOWNIA, President of the Polish Parliament

On the occasion of her official visit to Poland, EP President Roberta METSOLA meets with Małgorzata Maria KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA, Speaker of the Polish Senate, and addresses to the Polish Senate.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Warsaw (Poland): extracts from the arrival at the Senate, meeting with Małgorzata Maria KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA, Speaker of the Polish Senate, and address by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

On the occasion of her official visit to Poland, EP President Roberta METSOLA participates in the inauguration of the Warsaw Europa Experience (Visitor Centre of the European Parliament) in presence of Ewa KOPACZ, EP Vice-President and Rafał TRZASKOWSKI, Mayor of Warsaw.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Warsaw (Poland): extracts from the inauguration of the Warsaw Europa Experience (Visitor Centre of the European Parliament)

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