Council must confront Poland over their rejection of European values

Liberal and Democrat MEPs have today welcomed the adoption of a resolution welcoming the Commission’s long-awaited decision to activate Article 7(1) TEU as regards the situation in Poland. With this resolution the European Parliament expressed its continued concerns about the rule of law and democracy, representing a clear risk of a serious breach of the values referred to in Article 2 TEU and therefore strongly supports the Commission’s call on the Polish authorities to address the problems.

Parliament debated the issue in November last year and there are sadly no sign of improvements since then, instead worrying developments have taken place such as the further eroding fundamental rights. Therefore ALDE is calling on the Council to act swiftly and we are urging the Bulgarian presidency to put the matter on the agenda without delay.

Nathalie Griesbeck, ALDE’s Coordinator for LIBE commented: “Through the adoption of this resolution, we strongly support the activation of Article 7 by the European Commission in December 2017. Our assembly must fight — and will continue to fight –to demand full respect for the rule of law. Now it is up to the Member States to act in the Council.”

Sophie in ‘t Veld, First Vice-President of ALDE added:”This is about our moral authority in the world. All eyes are on Europe now: will the EU rise in defence of its values? And questions go further: We need to get a clear answer on what the consequences are for police and justice cooperation, if the Polish judiciary cannot be considered to be independent? Member states’ authorities must work together on the basis of the presumption of compliance, not the pretence of compliance. It’s time to finally know where we are standing with Poland.”

More info: sandor.blasko@europarl.europa.eu