Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar and Deputy Minister Krzysztof Śmiszek, during a meeting of the General Affairs Council of the European Union in Brussels, presented Poland’s Action Plan on restoring the rule of law. The main points of the planned reform concern the National Council of the Judiciary, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Tribunal, and the separation of the office of Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General.

“They are fundamental issues for Poland. We must do everything in our power to carry out all the reforms that are necessary and expected by Polish citizens, and thus restore the rule of law”, said the Minister of Justice after the Council meeting. “This plan is an expression of our commitment to European values, as well as to our Constitution”, he added.

The Action Plan on Restoring the Rule of Law responds to a reasoned request from the Commission under Article 7(1) of the EU Treaty and the judgments of the Court of Justice of the EU and the European Court of Human Rights. Its implementation is intended to bring an end to the Article 7 procedure initiated against Poland.

“The plan presented by Minister Bodnar is a step that could lead to the end of the Article 7 procedure against Poland, but there is still a lot of work to be done”, said European Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová.

“The plan envisages several legislative and non-legislative actions, which will be implemented with respect for all the principles expressed in the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, the law of the European Union and the principles flowing from the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union”, reported the Communication and Promotion Office of the Ministry of Justice.

Adrian Andrzejewski