Theresa in the middle as Poland rows with Brussels
BRITAIN became embroiled in a row over democracy in Poland last night.
Hours before Theresa May began a diplomatic trip to Warsaw, the European Commission took action against the Polish government over claims it has undermined the independence of the judiciary.
Mrs May faces a dilemma over whether to support her allies in Poland’s ruling Law and Justice Party, or back the Brussels line.
Warsaw, which could even lose its EU voting rights, struck back by saying the censure was purely ‘political’. Brussels believes Polish ministers are bringing in legislation so they can act as puppet masters over leading judges. Warsaw is also locked in a dispute with the EU over migration rules.
Downing Street yesterday insisted the Prime Minister would ‘raise concerns’ about the legal shake-up as she arrived in Poland flanked by senior Cabinet colleagues.
‘We place great importance on respect for the rule of law and we expect all our partners to abide by international norms and standards,’ said her spokesman. ‘We have a strong bilateral relationship with Poland and we have shared interests going forward in areas such as security, in particular.’
If Poland ignores a three-month deadline to address the EU’s concerns, Britain will be forced to join member states in a vote on whether to initiate sanctions.
Poland has indicated it would expect Mrs May to offer her support during a vote, a move likely to anger Brussels. Guy Verhofstadt, who is the European Parliament’s Brexit coordinator, said Mrs May’s visit was ‘an important first test of the Uk’s pledge to defend European liberal democratic values’.
Poland’s southern ally Hungary yesterday vowed to block attempts to discipline Poland and branded the disciplinary move ‘unprecedented and astounding’.
Deputy prime minister Zsolt Semjen underlined deepening splits between Western and Eastern EU members by saying the move was an ‘unjust political procedure’.
Echoing a warning by Hungary’s leader Viktor Orban, he argued that the EU’s move ‘seriously damages Poland’s sovereignty’.
The neighbouring support means attempts to punish Poland under an ‘Article 7’ disciplinary procedure could prove futile. A majority decision by 22 of the 28 EU member states would be needed to give Poland an official warning. And stripping Warsaw of its European Council voting rights would need unanimous support.
Brussels yesterday insisted it had tried ‘everything humanly possible’ to avert the crisis after months of verbal tussles but said ‘the facts leave us no choice’.
Opposition figures say the plans would force four in ten top judges to retire before seeking reappointment by bodies under government control. The reforms have led to street protests but retain broad public support.
The Prime Minister is being joined on her Poland trip by Chancellor Philip Hammond, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson.