The German paper "Die Welt" criticised the European Commission's decision to unlock EU funds for Poland, despite the fact that Donald Tusk's fresh government has not yet restored the regulation of law. The article by Philipp Fritz, a Warsaw correspondent for Die Welt, appeared on Friday and discusses this issue in detail.
As the author recalls, Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, came to Warsaw in February to personally inform about the release of frozen funds of EUR 137 billion. This decision was taken despite the deficiency of a full improvement of the justice strategy in Poland.
Reasons for stopping funds
Fritz explains that the funds were halted due to the actions of the erstwhile PiS government, which radically changed the structure of the judiciary, taking control of the Constitutional Court. In addition, the Polish Constitutional Tribunal in 2021 challenged the authority of the Court of Justice of the European Union (TEU), which sparked serious global controversy.
Challenges for the fresh government – unlocking KPO
Donald Tusk promised to end the conflict for the regulation of law, however, Fritz notes that crucial changes have not yet been made. "The Polish government shows good will, but the justice strategy created by the Law and Justices inactive exists," says writer Die Welt. There is simply a deficiency of tools to reject the veto of president Andrzej Duda and to carry out the “redemocratisation” of the judiciary.
The writer "Die Welt" draws attention to questions about what von der Leyen rewards the Polish government with EUR 137 billion erstwhile the regulation of law has not yet been restored. The European Commission's papers show that von der Leyen and her colleagues are aware that the Tusk Government has not removed the harm caused by the Law and Justice Office.
Political reactions
Philipp Fritz writes that the action plan presented by the Polish government on 20 February remains a promise which cannot be fulfilled due to the attitude of president Duda.
"The commission was seemingly adequate for a promise," says Fritz.
It notes that although the Government of Tusk again recognises the competence of the EU Treaty and seeks a compromise with the EU, the regulation of law has not been restored.
The writer besides quotes the opinions of German Euro MPs who criticise the fast conclusion of proceedings against Poland. Moritz Koerner of the FDP and Daniel Freund of the Greens express their concern that the European Commission's decision can lead to a dangerous precedent where autocrats will be able to destruct the regulation of law without fearing the failure of funds if they announce the repair of the damage.
Political transaction?
In mid-May, Klaus Bachmann wrote in "Berliner Zeitung" about a "political transaction", in which von der Leyen completes the procedure on the regulation of law towards Poland in exchange for supporting Tusk in re-election for the position of Head of the European Commission. This explanation suggests that political decisions can influence the actions of the EU institutions, which raises controversy and doubts about the transparency of decision-making processes in the EU.
Criticism by German media and Euro MPs underlines that the decision to unblock KPO for Poland, despite the deficiency of a full improvement of the judiciary, is controversial. This situation raises questions about the future of the regulation of law in Poland and what supervisory mechanisms the European Commission will apply in the future.
dw.com/mn
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