Poland’s ‘EU Turnaround’: Commission Ends Legal Action, Lifts Budget Suspension”.

Poland has been embroiled in a long-standing legal dispute with the European Commission over rule of law violations. On Monday, the commission announced its intention to end the legal action against Poland. The draft decision confirms that Poland has taken steps to address concerns about judicial independence, recognizing the primacy of EU law and committing to implementing European court judgments related to the rule of law. This decision removes the possibility of Poland facing a suspension of its EU membership rights, a consequence that has never been enforced against any EU country.

The legal proceedings against Poland were initiated in 2017 due to concerns over judicial independence under the then-incumbent government, led by the nationalist Law and Justice Party (PiS). In February, Poland’s new centrist government, headed by former European Council president Donald Tusk, proposed a reform plan that led to the commission’s decision to end the proceedings. Tusk’s coalition defeated the PiS in a general election on October 15.

After Poland presented its reform plan, the commission reversed a 2022 decision that suspended Poland’s access to significant portions of the EU budget, including “cohesion” funds that support less-wealthy member states. This development marks a new chapter for Poland and is attributed by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to the country’s efforts in enacting reforms. On May 21, EU member states’ European affairs ministers are set to discuss the commission’s assessment of Poland’s progress before formally withdrawing