Memo: College Orientation Debate on recent developments in Poland and the Rule of Law Framework: Questions & Answers

The European Commission held an orientation debate on the situation in Poland and the rule of law mechanism, primarily focusing on the Polish government’s newly adopted reforms regarding the Constitutional Tribunal and the governance of public service broadcasters.

The document answers some questions regarding the rule of law framework which is the starting point for the positions of the European Commission on the matter.

See also reactions to the developments in Poland and the European Commission actions via the related url hyperlinks below, plus previews of a debate in the European Parliament on the subject on the 19 January 2016.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Report: Commission to probe Poland’s rule of law http://www.europeansources.info/record/report-commission-to-probe-polands-rule-of-law/

Politico, 13.01.16: EU launches ‘rule of law’ probe of Poland http://www.politico.eu/article/poland-probe-rule-of-law-eu-commission-timmermans/

Politico, 13.01.16: Is Poland a failing democracy? http://www.politico.eu/article/poland-democracy-failing-pis-law-and-justice-media-rule-of-law/

The Wall Street Journal, 13.01.16: EU Places Poland’s Rule of Law Under Increased Scrutiny http://www.wsj.com/articles/eu-places-polands-rule-of-law-under-increased-scrutiny-1452690539

Deutsche Welle, 13.01.16: EU launches first-ever rule of law review against Poland http://dw.com/p/1HcQo

BBC News, 13.01.16: EU launches probe into new Polish laws http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35303912

France24, 13.01.16: EU launches probe into controversial Polish laws http://www.france24.com/en/20160113-eu-commission-launches-probe-controversial-polish-laws

The Guardian, 13.01.16: EU investigates Polish government's controversial new laws http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/13/ec-to-investigate-polish-governments-controversial-new-laws

Sputnik International, 13.01.16: EC Launches Review of New Polish Media, Constitutional Court Laws http://sptnkne.ws/azre

Radio Poland, 13.01.16: Foreign interest groups won’t stop changes in Poland: PM http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/236320,Foreign-interest-groups-won%E2%80%99t-stop-changes-in-Poland-PM

Radio Poland, 13.01.16: European Commission launches investigation of Poland http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/236341,European-Commission-launches-investigation-of-Poland

EurActiv, 13.01.16: Commission launches unprecedented probe into Polish judicial reforms http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/commission-launches-unprecedented-probe-polish-judicial-reforms-320936

EUObserver, 14.01.16: Polish PM: EU process won't lead to sanctions https://euobserver.com/justice/131832

EUObserver, 13.01.16: EU commission puts Poland on the hook https://euobserver.com/political/131818

Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 14.01.16: EU examines rule of law in Poland http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER176214-EU-examines-rule-of-law-in-Poland

Radio Poland, 14.01.16: President Duda: Poland to be an active and responsible EU member http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/236439,President-Duda-Poland-to-be-an-active-and-responsible-EU-member

European Commission: DG Communication: SPEECH/16/71, 13.01.16: Readout by First Vice-President Timmermans of the College Meeting of 13 January 2016 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-16-71_en.htm

Blog: Open Europe, 13.01.16: Commission raises the stakes in its legal dispute with Poland – what happens next? http://openeurope.org.uk/blog/4168/

Blog: Open Europe, 14.01.16: EU Commission at risk of undermining its legitimacy and credibility by intervening in Polish affairs http://openeurope.org.uk/impact/4179/

Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 15.01.16: Warsaw defends itself against criticism from Brussels http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER176291-Warsaw-defends-itself-against-criticism-from-Brussels

Radio Poland, 15.01.16: I admire and respect Poland: European Commission chief http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/236661,I-admire-and-respect-Poland-European-Commission-chief

Deutsche Welle, 15.01.16: US prefers private talks over megaphone to communicate with Poland http://dw.com/p/1He4v

Politico, 15.01.16 [Opinion]: What is really happening in Poland? Statement by the Law and Justice (PiS) delegation of the ECR Group in advance of the debate on the situation in Poland in the European Parliament, 19 January 2016 http://www.politico.eu/sponsored-content/what-is-really-happening-in-poland/

EUObserver, 15.01.16: EP debate on Poland could turn into 'carnage' https://euobserver.com/political/131856

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