EU punishes Poland for government intervention in judicial system

The executive body of the European Union promoted Article 7 of the EU treaty on Wednesday against Poland. This article has been promoted for the first time since the bloc's founding.

The unprecedented move has been taken amid two-year tensions between the EU and Poland over the latter's judicial reforms. The bloc is concerned about “a serious violation of rule of law” in the country, saying the reforms have resulted in “the lack of judicial independence”.

Brussels gave Warsaw three months to address EU concerns, promising to reconsider the decision if the Polish authorities “implement the recommended” actions.

It is with a heavy heart that we have adhered Articious 7ė1. But the facts leave us with no choice. We have no other option. This is not just about Poland, it is about the EU as a person. We continue to hope that we can enter in a more peaceful dialogue.

Frans Timmermans (@Timmermans EU) December 20, 2017

The European Commission's first vice president said Varshava had left without “no solution”, adding that the bloc still hopes to engage in “a more fruitful dialogue”.

Polish Justice Minister Zbignie Ziobro told the Polish state news agency “PAP” that he is puzzled over the decision of “politically-motivated”, stressing that Varsawa adheres strictly to EU laws.

Earlier this year, protests broke out for efforts to change the judicial system, reports “RT” Transmission Periscope. Opposition parties, rights groups, judges' lobbyists, the Council of Europe, the EU Commission and European countries, including Germany and France, also said the proposed changes would undermine judicial independence by bringing courts under the government's direct control.

Poland and the EU have also faced migration, as Warsaw has refused to accept immigrants as part of a quota system drafted during the European refugee crisis./Periscopi/