The previous Polish government was in conflict with the European Union over judicial reforms and the rule of law in Warsaw. As a result, EU funds allocated to Poland were frozen.
The new Polish government is pro-EU and has promised to gain access to European funds by restoring the rule of law. In any case, the government has to deal with allies of the former ruling party, including President Duda.
During the press conference, Duda said he had no doubts as to why the European Commission blocked funding from the national recovery plan. “This was a purely political action against the previous Polish authorities,” Duda said. He added that “current events only confirm this”.
Duda also said he is open to negotiations and proposals for various changes in the Polish judicial system, but does not allow control over judges appointed during his term.
In response to a Reuters request for comment, a European Commission spokesperson said: “The Polish government has expressed its willingness to work with the Commission to fully address the milestones of judicial independence.”
In December, the European Commission announced that it would give Warsaw 5 billion euros of the 60 billion euros of Covid-19 recovery stimulus made available by Poland.
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2024-01-21 15:33:25
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