Respect for the rule of law will remain a priority for the Commission and the EU Council in the coming months, Finnish Minister for European Affairs Tytti Tuppurainen and First Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans jointly announced at the General Affairs Council on Thursday 18 July. However, they did not make a statement on the subject with the same degree of firmness.
Tytti Tuppurainen used particularly diplomatic terms, refusing to name any country. In her view, the issue of the rule of law should be addressed in a “constructive and positive” manner rather than “naming and shaming” certain countries.
Frans Timmermans, whose accession to the head of the Commission was blocked by the countries of Eastern Europe, has adopted a more direct style. “I have come to give an update on the situation in Poland. The last time I did it was in April. And unfortunately, I do not have good news”, he said, inviting Member States to get involved in case of violations rather than referring the matter to the Commission or the Court of Justice.
An opportunity immediately seized by the Franco-German pair who, through a joint declaration, called for respect for the rule of law by all Member States and by the Union. “The concerns that led to the initiation of the procedure provided for in Article 7 of the TEU have not been fully and correctly resolved. In this regard, we reaffirm our support for the Commission and we are confident that the next team will demonstrate the same commitment”, the joint document states.
What about the von der Leyen Commission?
In response to those who criticise the lack of a clear line shown by the future President of the European Commission on this issue before her hearing, Mr Timmermans expressed his full confidence in Ursula von der Leyen (who was supported by Poland and Hungary to accede to the post). “She has loudly and clearly reiterated to the European Parliament that she is very committed to continuing our fight for the rule of law. On the basis of what she has said before Parliament and what we have discussed, I have no doubt that the next Commission, under the leadership of Mrs von der Leyen, will be as determined, concrete and clear as the current one”.
This discussion on the rule of law was only an item for information on the agenda. In camera, European Affairs Ministers were briefed by the Commission on its communication, presented the day before, to strengthen monitoring of the rule of law (see EUROPE 12298/2). They also took note of the judgment of the Court of Justice (see EUROPE 12281/2). Ultimately, they adopted the standard modalities for the hearings provided for in Article 7 of the Treaty.
It should be recalled that a hearing is to be held in September on the Hungarian case, while no date has yet been set for the Polish case, although the Franco-German declaration calls for this hearing to be held as soon as possible. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)