Theresa May will personally raise concerns about anti-democratic reforms in Poland when she meets the country’s new prime minister tomorrow.
Mrs May is flying to Warsaw for crucial talks on Brexit with Mateusz Morawiecki, who took over at the head of the government last week.
The stakes for her visit rose dramatically today as the European Union launched unprecedented disciplinary action against Poland over controversial reforms.
New laws give the Polish government greater control of a top court and a key judicial body. The reforms have triggered protests in Poland and international outrage.
The EU today launched what has been dubbed the ‘nuclear option’ by invoking Article 7 of the its treaties, a process that could see Poland’s voting rights in Europe suspended.
Brussels warned today ‘the rule of law is under threat’ in Poland and accused the government of a ‘naked abuse of political power.
Theresa May (pictured at PMQs today) will personally raise concerns about anti-democratic reforms in Poland when she meets the country’s new prime minister tomorrow
Mrs May is flying to Warsaw for crucial talks on Brexit with Mateusz Morawiecki, who took over at the head of the government last week
Downing Street said today Mrs May would raise the issue in Warsaw tomorrow, while also trying to secure Polish support in the coming Brexit trade talks.
Mrs May’s spokesman said: ‘We place great importance on respect for the rule of law and expect all our partners to abide by international norms and standards.
‘The Prime Minister will raise her concerns with Mr Morawiecki when they meet tomorrow.
‘We hope Poland and the Commission can resolve this through discussion.’
Asked if Mrs May’s visit should be seen as an ‘endorsement’ of the Polish government, the spokesman added: ‘We have a strong bilateral relationship with Poland. We have shared interests going forward in areas such as security, in particular.
‘They are an important partner and we will continue to work with them.’
The triggering of Article 7 was widely expected and EU Commissioner Frans Timmermans said that ‘we are doing this for Poland, for Polish citizens’ so they can rely on a fully independent judiciary in their nation, which is a key underpinning of EU principles.
Mr Timmermans said that despite the measure indicating that ‘the rule of law is under threat’ he remained open to dialogue with Warsaw to remedy this abuse ‘of naked political power.’
EU Commissioner Frans Timmermans (pictured in Brussels today) announced the action against Poland today, insisting it was being done to protect Polish citizens
Polish justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, however, insisted that despite the EU measure, Poland will continue to ‘reform’ its justice system.
Poland’s justice minister says the European Union member will continue its overhaul of the justice system despite an unprecedented censure from EU leaders.
Zbigniew Ziobro, who co-authored the controversial reorganization of the justice system and whose powers are strengthened by it, said he received news that the EU had launched the procedure with ‘calm.’
He said Poland needs to continue with it, and that Poland ‘will only be a significant EU member when it has a well-functioning justice system.’
Protesters in Warsaw demonstrate against the laws which would give the Polish government greater control over the country’s top court
Thousands of protesters across Poland have been demonstrating against the new legislation, which has seen the European Commission trigger Article 7
He insisted its provisions were drawn from justice systems of western EU members.
In a signal of the division the decision will cause across Europe, Hungary’s deputy prime minister says the EU decision to launch proceedings against Poland is ‘unprecedented and astounding.’
Zsolt Semjen, also head of Hungary’s Christian Democrat party, said the EU’s decision Wednesday ‘seriously damages Poland’s sovereignty.’
Semjen said Hungary would oppose the EU Commission’s move ‘at every forum’ and defend Poland from the ‘unjust political procedure.’