EU launches legal action against Poland over ‘Russian influence’ law
The European Union (EU) Commission announced that it has launched an “official infringement process” on the grounds that Poland violated EU laws.
The reason why the commission started an infringement process that could trigger financial sanctions was reported to be the controversial regulation known as the “Russian influence law” that has been in force in Poland since May 31.
The law paves the way for the establishment of a new commission that would task the Polish government with investigating allegations of Russian meddling in the country between 2007 and 2022. In particular, the commission will examine gas deals with Moscow, which the government says make the country “too dependent” on Russian energy.
The majority of the nine-member commission that will appoint the lower house of the Polish parliament is expected to be made up of ruling deputies.
‘CONVENTION FOR DEMOCRACY’
The European Commission argues that the law enacted in Poland violates the principle of democracy, the principle of non-retroactivity, the right to effective judicial protection and data protection requirements.
The Commission asserts that the new law also unduly interferes with democratic processes, that the committee’s activities will damage the reputation of candidates running in the elections, and that a decision that a person is acting under Russian influence may limit the political rights of that person. .
Poland will go to the polls in the fall. Opponents in the country argue that the commission to be established under the “Russian influence law” could target prominent opposition figures such as former Prime Minister and current Civic Platform (PO) leader Donald Tusk ahead of the general elections.
The ruling Law and Justice Party accuses Tusk of being too friendly to Russia as prime minister between 2007 and 2014 and of brokering pro-Russian natural gas deals before traveling to Brussels as president of the European Council from 2014 to 2019.
The Polish government must respond within 21 working days to the official notification letter sent by the EU Commission to Poland to start the infringement process. If the Commission’s concerns are not answered, the EU Commission may decide to send a reasoned opinion to Poland. Sanctions, including financial fines, can then be imposed on Poland.
The EU Commission had fined Poland 1 million euros per day because the judicial reform amendments in Poland in October 2021 violated the rule of law. (AA)