The European Parliament voiced concern about the legislative and electoral system in Poland, the independence of the country's judiciary and about fundamental rights.
Thursday’s resolution, which is not legally binding, was adopted by 513 votes to 148, with 33 abstentions.
“What the Polish government has forgotten is that democracy is not about majority rule, but about respecting EU law, pluralism, the right to dissent and protecting minorities,” said Spanish MEP Juan Fernando López Aguilar.
'Attack on the essence of democracy'
Reacting to the resolution, Poland’s conservative Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro condemned what he described as “an attack on the essence of democracy.”
He added: “This is a denial of democracy, it is even a coup against democracy by the EU elite."
Conservative Polish MEP Patryk Jaki said allegations that the justice system in his country has been politicized were surprising, adding that similar measures could be found in other countries, including Spain.
“The level of absurdity and stupidity in this resolution is enormous,” Jaki said.
Patryk Jaki. Photo: PAP/Piotr Nowak
In December 2017, the European Commission, the executive arm of the 27-nation European Union, took the unprecedented step of triggering Article 7 of the EU Treaty against Poland, stepping up pressure on Warsaw over contested judicial reforms.
The move could theoretically pave the way for sanctions being imposed on Poland, for example suspending its voting rights in the European Union. But penalties on Warsaw would have to be backed unanimously by member states.
Poland's ruling conservatives have said sweeping changes are needed to reform an inefficient and sometimes corrupt judicial system tainted by the communist past, accusing judges of being an elite, self-serving clique often out of touch with the problems of ordinary citizens.
Opponents have accused the government of trying to stack courts with its own candidates and to dismantle the rule of law.
(pk)
Source: IAR/PAP/europarl.europa.eu
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