- European Union Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders praised the efforts of Poland's new pro-EU government to restore the rule of law.
- Speaking in Warsaw, Mr. Lenders praised Prime Minister Donald Tusk's determination to abide by Poland's constitution.
- The European Commission is backing the government's action to overturn a controversial judicial policy that has been criticized by the EU as undemocratic.
European Union justice commissioner Didier Reynders on Friday praised Poland's new pro-EU government's efforts to restore the rule of law and freed the country from billions in EU funds frozen under the previous government. He said it could lead to the release of the euro.
Mr. Lenders spoke with new Justice Minister Adam Bodnar, Foreign Minister, European Affairs Minister, and the Speaker of the Parliament in Warsaw during Poland's first month of establishment in order to overturn the previous government's controversial judicial policy, which the EU criticized as undemocratic. They were discussing the measures the government is taking. .
Reynders told a press conference that he was satisfied with the determination of Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his cabinet to restore the rule of law in line with the requirements of the Polish Constitution, the EU and the European Convention on Human Rights.
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He said the European Commission, the executive arm of the 27-nation European Union, was supporting the government's efforts.
European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders (right) and Poland's new Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar participate in a press conference in Warsaw, Poland, January 19, 2024. Reynders praised Poland's new pro-EU government's efforts to restore rules. of the law. (AP Photo/Charek Sokolowski)
He expressed hope that the move would soon lead to approval of Poland's request to release about $7.6 billion from the post-pandemic recovery fund allocated to the country. The EU froze the funds as a result of a rule-of-law dispute with Poland's former right-wing government, the Law and Justice Party.
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In one important step, Tusk's government imprisoned two members of the previous government who were found guilty of abuse of power and falsifying documents, leaving key judicial institutions and some of the rule of law principles in question. Personnel changes are being made in the courts.
Bodnar's measures have been heavily criticized by the opposition party, which lost power in October's election, but he told a news conference they were well thought out and necessary.
