EU Considers Legal and Financial Response to Poland

The European Commission is considering possible legal and financial responses after Poland’s constitutional court challenged the rule of law in the European Union, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday.

Speaking at a meeting of EU lawmakers in Strasbourg, von der Leyen said the Polish court’s decision earlier this month was a “direct challenge to EU unity.” “We cannot and we will not allow our shared values ​​to be threatened,” he said.

The judges of Poland’s highest court ruled that the national constitution had superiority over EU law.

Rising tensions between Poland and the European Union have fueled speculation that Poland, which joined the bloc in 2004, might step down.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Tuesday that while he would not be intimidated, his country adheres to the EU agreement and hopes for a constructive dialogue on this issue. [ka/ab]