EUROPEAN UNION WARNS POLAND OVER RULE OF LAW

The European Union expressed concern Wednesday about the rule of
law in Poland and warned that it will take action by next week unless
Warsaw makes progress on fixing the problem.




The EU's executive Commission has been holding informal talks
with Warsaw since November amid concerns about the conservative
government's respect for Poland's Constitutional Court and the way
judges are appointed.
The Commission said if the tribunal "is prevented from fully ensuring
an effective constitutional review, there can be no effective scrutiny
of compliance with fundamental rights of legislative acts."
Warsaw has until Monday to respond. If it does not do so
satisfactorily, the Commission could take action under the "rule of
law framework," which is aimed at protecting EU values like the rule
of law, democracy, equality and the respect of human rights.
The Commission, which enforces the EU's treaties, could then
recommend ways that Poland fix the problem and set a deadline. It
could even impose sanctions. The whole process could lead to
Poland losing its EU voting rights.
Poland has come under strong international criticism since the
conservative Law and Justice took power in November and moved to
exert its influence over the Constitutional Tribunal and public
broadcasters. Critics say both moves undermine the tenets of
Western democracy.


But while Poland's ruling party and opposition leaders are holding
meetings this week trying to find a solution, Deputy Foreign Minister
Konrad Szymanski said Poland needs "much more time" to solve the
crisis and no breakthrough should be expected by Monday.
He said he does not see the warning as an ultimatum, adding that
Warsaw is in constant "friendly" discussion with the Commission.



The Commission warning came as Poland's prime minister sought
an apology from former U.S. President Bill Clinton for having said
that Poles think "democracy is too much trouble" and that they
appear to prefer authoritarian leadership.