As suggested on 23 April by Didier Reynders, the European Commissioner for Justice, the European Commission is reported to be close to delivering its political decision regarding the new Polish law expanding the range of disciplinary sanctions against judges who are critical of the government.
According to the Polish media, the decision, in the form of an infringement proceeding, might be delivered tomorrow, Wednesday 29 April. The Commission has not corroborated this information and did not raise Poland as an item on the agenda for the College of Commissioners meeting, but has called for vigilance.
Last week, the Commissioner reported to the members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties that an assessment of the law was being finalised and that the College would soon be making a “political decision” (see EUROPE 12473/9).
On Tuesday 28 April, Donald Tusk (EPP President, Poland) said that he would not be taking part in the 10 May presidential election, which the ruling PiS party is intending to hold despite the pandemic. In a video message, he said he “would be boycotting” the ballot, which he described as a simple “voting procedure”.
The Council of Europe and the European Commission have warned of the risks to the principle of free and fair elections posed by the election on 10 May, which is being held during the Covid-19 pandemic. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)