Poland’s highest court today declared that EU laws are less important than Polish laws. This means that Poland can in principle ignore European rules. The Polish government has been on a collision course with Brussels for some time, partly because of attacks on LGBTI people, journalists and judges.
The ministry has not said anything about the matter yet. “We are studying the ruling,” the spokesperson said.
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The European Commission also said in a written statement earlier today that it was “seriously concerned” about the ruling. The day-to-day management of the EU maintains that EU law takes precedence over national law.
Crisis within the EU
In Brussels and in Luxembourg, where the European Court of Justice sits, there is a grim reaction to the judgment of the highest judges of Poland. According to insiders, the ‘uprising’ of the Polish Constitutional Court could lead to a crisis within the EU or even the departure of Poland from the EU, a Polexit.
European Commissioner Didier Reynders (Justice) says the commission will ‘use all means to ensure that Poland respects the EU treaty’. He announces ‘quick action’, without further explanation.
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According to MEP Jeroen Lenaers (CDA), Poland is drifting further and further away from the course of the European Union. “The Polish authorities and the ruling PiS party claim that they are not looking for a Polexit, but that is hard to believe when you look at their actions.
Enough is enough, the Polish government has lost credibility with this statement,” he says. “The EU cannot stand by while the rule of law is undermined by Warsaw in this way.”
Sending a signal
Tineke Strik (GroenLinks) believes that ‘the Polish government cannot expect to continue to benefit from the benefits of European cooperation if it questions the European legal order’.
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She points out that the European Commission, the day-to-day management of the EU, has the option of turning off the money tap. “The committee must do everything possible to block European funds to the country. It is important that it sends out a clear signal today: anyone who tampers with the EU’s foundations can expect it to be sidelined.”
Tens of billions of euros
Tens of billions of euros are available for Poland in the coming years, among other things to help overcome the economic disadvantage in certain regions of the country and to support the transition to a sustainable society.
Poland also submitted a corona recovery plan in the spring involving 36 billion euros. The committee has still not approved that plan because it is subject to conditions relating to the rule of law.
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