Following a debate on the subject in June (see EUROPE 13201/3), on Tuesday 11 July MEPs adopted a resolution, by 472 votes to 136 with 16 abstentions, in which they reiterated their strong concerns about the state of the rule of law in Poland, in relation to the recent electoral law and the establishment of a commission to combat foreign interference, perceived as a means for the government to bring political opponents to heel.
The electoral reform, which, for example, provides for the transport of elderly people to and from the polls, “does not comply with international democratic standards”, says the resolution, and the new State Committee for the Investigation of Russian Influence should be abolished.
With regard to the electoral reform ahead of the parliamentary elections in autumn 2023, and with the European elections in June 2024 on the horizon, the changes may discriminate against people voting from abroad, the text notes.
MEPs also point out that the chamber of the Polish Supreme Court responsible for electoral disputes cannot be considered an independent and impartial court. The resolution calls for a “full-scale election observation mission for the upcoming parliamentary elections”.
Annual report
MEPs also held a debate on 11 July with the Commission and the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council on the latest annual report on the rule of law (see EUROPE 13216/8).
While the Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, welcomed the positive effect on the Member States, some MEPs found the report too timid and sometimes inaccurate, for example with regard to certain chapters on Greece, said Sophie in ‘t Veld (Renew Europe, Dutch), who wanted the report to be drafted by “independent experts”.
Other MEPs, notably from the ID group, pointed to an unequal relationship, with France, which has recently experienced violent riots, being “spared”, said Jean-Paul Garraud (ID, French).
Link to the adopted text: https://aeur.eu/f/80c (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)