Unlike as suggested by Polish media, European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans did not confirm to the European Parliament's civil liberties committee on Thursday 28 June that the Commission was going to open an infringement procedure against the Polish government on the subject of the country's legislation on its supreme court – which certain members will have to leave from 3 July.
"It is up to the Commission to see if and when" this decision could be taken, Timmermans sated, who nevertheless told MEPs again that there still existed a "systemic risk" in Poland of harm to the rule of law. He made the same observation during the evening of Tuesday 26 June after the unprecedented hearing of Warsaw before its European peers.
Reiterating to MEPs the concerns raised by the judicial reforms in Poland, Timmermans also had to justify his action, rejecting the criticism of a few members that he is reportedly leading a personal crusade against Poland.
"If you only attack me or bring out old stories and conspiracy theories, I have already heard all that!", he said, asking the MEPs to keep to the "facts" and to pay the Polish true service by ceasing to say that there is no systemic risk in the country.
"You would really help your people", he told these MEPs. He also stated that the Commission has been very "patient" with Warsaw "for two and a half years".
Indeed, the Commission gave the Polish authorities another chance on 26 June to remove the doubts. These doubts are furthermore strengthened by the conclusions of the advocate general of the Court on the question raised by the Irish judiciary as to the rule of law in Poland (see other article). (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)