Rule of Law in Poland and hybrid threats
Commission expresses grave concern about clear risks for the independence of the judiciary in Poland and discusses hybrid threats.
Rule of Law in Poland
On the invitation of President Juncker, First Vice-President Timmermans presented to the College the latest developments with regard to the Polish judiciary and the Rule of Law dialogue, which is ongoing between the Commission and Poland since 13 January 2016. The College of Commissioners expressed grave concerns about four legislative acts recently proposed in Poland: the law on the National Council for the Judiciary; the law on the National School of Judiciary; the law on the Ordinary Courts Organisation; and the law on the Supreme Court. If implemented in their current form, these laws would have a very significant negative impact on the independence of the judiciary and would increase the systemic threat to the rule of law in Poland. Commissioners today held a first in-depth discussion on these new developments, expressed serious concerns, and looked into the legal and political options available to the Commission to act upon these concerns, including another Rule of Law Recommendation to the Polish government and the possibility of infringement proceedings for violation of EU i law. The option of triggering Article 7(1) of the Treaty on European Union was also part of the discussion. The College of Commissioners agreed to revert to this issue in its meeting next week on the basis of a comprehensive legal analysis and any observations the Polish authorities and other interested parties and European or international organisations may submit.
The Commission urges the Polish authorities to put the new laws on hold and re-engage in the ongoing Rule of Law dialogue with First Vice-President Timmermans in an attempt to address the serious concerns expressed.
Countering hybrid threats
The EU and its neighbourhood are confronted today with the rise of security threats aiming at destabilising our region as a whole. No country can face these challenges alone. The Juncker Commission i made security a top priority from day one. The Commission's 2015 European Agenda on Security specifically recognised the need to counter hybrid threats.
The Commission and the High Representative adopted a Joint Framework on countering hybrid threats in April 2016. 22 concrete actions were put forward.
The main findings of the report published today are that the EU has improved its awareness and the information exchange between Member States on these growing security threats, which often combine conventional and unconventional methods, ranging from terrorism and cyber-attacks to disinformation campaigns or media manipulation. The EU has also made headway in protecting critical infrastructure in areas such as transport, energy, cybersecurity, and the financial system, as well as in countering violent extremism and radicalisation. But more remains to be done, as the nature of hybrid threats continues to evolve.
Diversity and Inclusion
The College also adopted the Commission's first Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, which aims at making the best use of the talent of the Commission's staff. The College looked at the progress made in reaching the target of at least 40% of female representation in Commission management functions, and looked at what more can be done to achieve this objective by 2019. A high representation of women in the Commission is a priority for President Juncker since the beginning of his mandate. The Commission has therefore set individual female representation targets for all Commission departments, is running specific management programmes and supports existing and new women networks.
Related links
Rule of Law in Poland
Opening remarks of First Vice-President Frans Timmermans i: College readout on grave concerns about the clear risks for independence of the judiciary in Poland
Countering hybrid threats
Press release - Security and defence: Significant progress to enhance Europe's resilience against hybrid threats - more work ahead
Joint Framework on countering hybrid threats a European Union response
Diversity and Inclusion
Press release - Diversity and Inclusion: European Commission acts to reach at least 40% women in its management and launches comprehensive strategy
Diversity and inclusion strategy
Audiovisual material
Read-out of the College meeting of 19 july 2017 by First Vice-President Frans Timmermans
Press conference by Vice-President Jyrki Katainen i and Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska i on Hybrid Threats