Press Release: Commission adopts Rule of Law Opinion on the situation in Poland

The European Commission adopted on 1 June 2016 an Opinion concerning the rule of law in Poland.

Following the intensive dialogue that had been ongoing with the Polish authorities since 13 January 2016, the Commission deemed it necessary to formalise its assessment of the current situation in this Opinion. As foreseen in the Rule of Law Framework, this was the first step taken by the Commission in this process. The Opinion set out the concerns of the Commission and served to focus the ongoing dialogue with the Polish authorities towards finding a solution.

In response, PiS parliamentary group Beata Mazurek restated the party line that the European Commission lacked the authority to interfere in Poland's sovereign affairs.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: College discusses a draft Rule of Law Opinion on the situation in Poland http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-college-discusses-a-draft-rule-of-law-opinion-on-the-situation-in-poland/

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: MEMO/16/2017, 01.06.16: Commission Opinion on the Rule of Law in Poland and the Rule of Law Framework: Questions & Answers http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-2017_en.htm

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: SPEECH/16/2023, 01.06.16: Opening Remarks of First Vice-President Frans Timmermans - Press Conference on Rule of Law in Poland http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-16-2023_en.htm

EurActiv, 01.06.16: EU formally warns Poland in rule-of-law row http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/eu-formally-warns-poland-in-rule-of-law-row/

EUObserver, 01.06.16: Commission adopts Polish rule of law report https://euobserver.com/political/133651

Radio Poland, 01.06.16: EU Commission criticizes Poland http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/255170,EU-Commission-criticizes-Poland

Politico, 01.06.16: Commission ramps up pressure on Poland http://www.politico.eu/article/commission-ramps-up-pressure-on-poland-in-rule-of-law-probe/

BBC News, 01.06.16: Poland constitution: EU warns over threat to rule of law http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36429325

The Guardian, 01.06.16: The EU's warning to Poland over the rule of law comes with risks http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/01/the-eus-warning-to-poland-over-the-rule-of-law-comes-with-risks

Euro|Topics: Debates, June 2016: Trouble over Poland's judicial reform http://www.eurotopics.net/en/149547/trouble-over-poland-s-judicial-reform

EUObserver, 02.06.16: Polish leaders play down EU 'opinion' https://euobserver.com/political/133669

Poland, 03.06.16: Poland shrugs off EU warning http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/poland-shrugs-off-eu-warning/

Blog: EU Law Analysis, 19.08.16: Commission Opinion of 1 June 2016 regarding the Rule of Law in Poland: Full text now available http://eulawanalysis.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/commission-opinion-of-1-june-2016.html

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