"Priority of National Constitution" Poland Warned by EU for 'Response'

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The European Union (EU) executive body, the European Commission, recently issued a warning in response to the Polish Constitutional Tribunal's decision that the national constitution takes precedence over EU law.

According to foreign media on the 12th, Vera Jourov?, Vice President of the European Commission, said the day before, "If we do not maintain the EU principle that the same regulations are observed everywhere in Europe, the entire continent will begin to collapse."

She added, "This is why we must respond to the new chapter opened by the Polish Constitutional Tribunal."

On the 7th, the Polish Constitutional Tribunal ruled that the Polish constitution takes precedence over EU treaties and decisions within Poland.

This decision followed a request made in July by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, asking the European Court of Justice (ECJ), the EU's highest court, to determine which law holds supremacy between the ECJ's rulings and the Polish constitution.

The European Commission has clashed with the Polish government over issues such as judicial independence and LGBTQ+ rights.

The EU has criticized certain measures by the Polish government as seriously undermining EU values such as the rule of law and democracy, and has taken legal actions through the ECJ, citing Poland's failure to implement EU law.

Regarding the Polish Constitutional Tribunal's recent decision, Reuters reported that the European Commission might respond by suspending financial aid to Poland.

The European Commission may apply new measures to suspend funding to countries that violate the core values of EU law.

The Commission is currently withholding approval of Poland's economic recovery plan, which is necessary for disbursing funds to member states affected by COVID-19.

Additionally, the European Commission may initiate further legal action against the Polish government for violating EU law, which could lead to fines imposed by the ECJ.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.