European Parliament resolution on the rule of law and democracy in Poland

European Parliament resolution on the rule of law and democracy in Poland

The European Parliament on November 15, 2017 adopted in plenary session a resolution on the Rule of Law and democracy in Poland. The resolution was adopted with 438 votes in favor, 152 against and 71 abstentions, foreseeing the launch of a mechanism provided in Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union, for the imposition of EU sanctions against Poland.The article provides for the most severe sanction against a Member State that violates the fundamental values listed in Article 2: the suspension of voting rights in the Council.

The Resolution highlights in particular the concern for “the fact that no compromise solution has been found to the fundamental problem of the proper functioning of the Constitutional Tribunal (its independence and legitimacy, and the publication and implementation of all its judgments), which seriously undermines the Polish Constitution and democracy and the rule of law in Poland”. Furthermore, it “calls on the Polish Government to comply with all provisions relating to the rule of law and fundamental rights enshrined in the Treaties, the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the ECHR and international human rights standards.”

There is also a mention of the recent events in Warsaw, where on during the celebrations of the Independence Day of November 11, a xenophobic and fascist march, the European Parliament on this matter “calls on the Polish Government to take appropriate action on and strongly condemn the xenophobic and fascist march that took place in Warsaw on Saturday, 11 November 2017.”

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