Senior EU official: Poland should respect Constitutional Tribunal decision

The European Commission's vice president Frans Timmermans urged the Polish government on 5 April 2016 to implement rulings by the country's Consitutional Court as a start to finding a way out of the political deadlock gripping Poland.

The remarks were seen as a rebuke of the ruling Law and Justice party. The government refused to publish a verdict of the tribunal released in March 2016, worsening the legal showdown that had been drawing international attention to Poland.

The statement coincided with an official visit to Poland by the Council of Europe's secretary general Thorbjørn Jagland.

On 13 April, the European Parliament's plenary session called on the Polish authorities to fully implement the Venice Commission recommendations on the ability of Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal to uphold its Constitution and guarantee respect for the rule of law.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal rules against swathe of legal changes / Stand-off over Polish court ruling intensifies / Poland should settle its constitutional crisis by respecting judgements of its Constitutional Tribunal: Venice Commission http://www.europeansources.info/record/polands-constitutional-tribunal-rules-against-swathe-of-legal-changes-stand-off-over-polish-court-ruling-intensifies-poland-should-settle-its-constitutional-crisis-by-respecting-judgement/

Politico, 05.04.16: Timmermans ramps up pressure in Poland constitutional crisis http://www.politico.eu/article/timmermans-ramps-up-pressure-in-poland-constitutional-crisis/

EUObserver, 05.04.16: EU urges Poland to respect constitution https://euobserver.com/justice/132932

Radio Poland, 04.04.16: Warsaw hosts talks on rule of law amid European Commission probe http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/247215,Warsaw-hosts-talks-on-rule-of-law-amid-European-Commission-probe-

Deutsche Welle, 04.04.16: Council of Europe chief urges Poland to resolve constitutional crisis http://dw.com/p/1IPIi

Council of Europe: News, 05.04.16: Secretary General on official visit to Poland http://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/secretary-general-on-official-visit-to-poland

EurActiv, 06.04.16: Timmermans: Dialogue with Poland over rule of law will continue http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/timmermans-dialogue-with-poland-over-rule-of-law-will-continue/

Deutsche Welle, 09.04.16: [Opinion]: With the PiS in power, Poland is divided http://dw.com/p/1ISZt

Radio Poland, 09.04.16: Support up for Poland’s ruling party: survey http://www.thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/247995,Support-up-for-Poland%E2%80%99s-ruling-party-survey

European Parliament: Press Release, 13.04.16: Parliament calls on Polish authorities to respect democratic principles and rule of law http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160407IPR21778/

EurActiv, 13.04.16: MEPs rap Poland over rule of law http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/meps-rap-poland-over-rule-of-law/

Politico, 13.04.16: European Parliament scolds Poland http://www.politico.eu/article/european-parliament-scolds-poland-constitutional-tribunal-probe-rule-of-law/

Radio Poland, 27.04.16: Poland's Supreme Court opposes government in constitutional wrangle http://www.thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/250415,Polands-Supreme-Court-opposes-government-in-constitutional-wrangle

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