arguing behind the scenesThe Polish issue is sowing more and more discord in Europe. While member states are arguing behind the scenes about how quickly and harshly Warsaw should be dealt with, the European Parliament is now also threatening to take the European Commission to Court for dawdling.
One day before the three institutions meet at the highest level, Parliament President David Sassoli writes to Commission President Urusula von der Leyen that he has instructed his legal service to prepare a procedure. He then breaks it down again if the Commission still takes action, he writes.
The aim is the ‘rule of law mechanism’ that the Commission has allowed since the beginning of this year to cut subsidies in the event of violations of the rule of law, but which it hesitates to apply. Parliament has already issued ultimatums to the Commission on a number of occasions. But it is caught between two fires: Member States first wanted a roadmap full of guidelines on how to apply this mechanism, and Poland appealed against the mechanism itself to the European Court of Justice – which it does not recognize.
“Member States that undermine the rule of law should not receive EU funds,” said EP President Sassoli this afternoon after consulting with all EP political leaders. “Parliament fought hard last year for a mechanism to regulate this. But the Commission has so far been reluctant to use this tool.” Most political group leaders support his move.
Hard as nails
In Parliament, dozens of MEPs called on von der Leyen yesterday and this morning to stop procrastinating. Von der Leyen promised action ‘within weeks’, but also added that she wants a rock-solid legal file.
In Parliament, she said she has three options to bring the Poles back into line. In addition to taking money, a procedure at the Court of Justice or Poland would deprive the voting right in Brussels. But according to many MEPs, stopping the flow of money is the most effective. A large majority of the member states must agree to take away the right to vote. Court proceedings usually take a long time.
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