Poland criticises EU 'pressure' in rule-of-law dispute

Poland on Tuesday accused the European Commission of attempting to pressure its "democratically elected" right-wing government regarding a rule-of-law dispute triggered by controversial media and justice reforms.
Relations between Brussels and Warsaw have been strained since the Law and Justice party (PiS), led by the eurosceptic Jaroslaw Kaczynski, returned to power in October after eight years in opposition.

The new government's legal manoeuvres to gain control over the EU member's top court and public broadcasters have prompted escalating warnings from the European Commission.

The body has warned that it could intervene, and its vice president Frans Timmermans has issued two letters asking Warsaw for information.

Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro said Tuesday he was "astonished" by Timmermans' request, slamming it as "an attempt to exert pressure upon the democratically elected" parliament and government of a sovereign state.

He added that the letter contents were "unjustified accusations and unfair conclusions".

Ziobro had last week lashed out at another EU Commissioner, Guenther Oettinger, who had threatened to put Poland on notice for infringing on common European values.

"These kinds of remarks by a German politician evoke the worst associations among Poles, including me. I'm the grandson of a Polish officer who during the Second World War fought in the underground Home Army (AK) against" German occupation, Ziobro said in his letter.

The anti-German stance popular among Poland's conservatives also made the cover of this week's edition of the pro-government Wprost magazine.

It showed several European officials, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Oettinger, wearing Nazi-like uniforms and leaning over a map. The headline read: "Once again they want to control Poland."

In an unprecedented move, the European Commission is set to debate the state of rule of law in Poland on Wednesday, which could lead to potentially punitive measures.

Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo said she will attend a January 19 debate on the issue in the European Parliament.

"It's clear to me that the prime minister represents the country any time Poland's reputation needs protection," she told reporters.

European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker denied last week that Brussels was unfairly targeting Poland over its government's controversial changes.

"Let's not overdramatise. It's an important issue but we have to have friendly and good relations with Poland," he said.

"Our approach is very constructive -- we are not bashing Poland."

Szydlo spoke by phone Tuesday with Juncker, the foreign ministry said, asking for details of the commission's discussions on Wednesday.

Polish President Andrzej Duda will visit Brussels on January 18 for talks.
Source: AFP