Poland’s PM accuses EU of ‘blackmail’ as dispute over laws continues
- Poland’s rejection of parts of EU law has highlighted tensions that have been festering for years
- Mateusz Morawiecki publicly clashed with Ursula von der Leyen, saying the EU is trying to force Poland into line
The ferocious row, played out in the European Parliament, underlined the seriousness of the issue which both Brussels and Warsaw say threatens the cohesion of the 27-nation bloc.
Von der Leyen, speaking just before and after Morawiecki took the podium, warned that her Commission – tasked as guardian of the EU treaties – “will act” to rein in Poland.
She said a controversial October 7 ruling by Poland’s Constitutional Court challenging the primacy of EU law was an attempt “to take an axe to the European treaties by undermining their legitimacy”.
“Undermining any of these essential pillars puts our European democracy at risk. We cannot let this happen. We will not let this happen,” she said.
Von der Leyen spoke of a number of legal, financial and political options being considered, adding that “the rule of law and the treaties of the European Union are to be defended with all instruments at our disposal”.