The European Parliament held on Tuesday, October 19, a discussion on the disputes between Poland and EU institutions on courts and the hierarchy of law. The Polish Prime Minister evaluated that his country faces «political blackmail», but signalled resistance to pressure. The head of the European Commission, meanwhile, voiced concern over a recent ruling of the Polish Constitutional Tribunal.
Polish public broadcaster Polskie Radio reported that the debate was held after a landmark judgement by Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal, which ruled in October that parts of EU treaties were incompatible with the Polish Constitution. The ruling added to a long-running dispute between the Polish government and EU institutions. It appeared to question a key tenet of European integration and threatened to escalate tension between Warsaw and Brussels.
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Referring to the dispute over the primacy of EU law, Morawiecki noted that «EU law trumps national law up to the level of legislation and wherever powers had been transferred to the bloc … but the national constitution comes first.» Morawiecki added that «if the institutions created by the Treaties overstep their bounds, member states must have the tools to respond.» The Polish head of government also stated that Poland «won’t be intimidated and expects dialogue. (..) I won’t have politicians blackmailing and threatening Poland,» Morawiecki said, Polskie Radio reports.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated, in turn, that the EU executive body was analysing the ruling of the Polish Constitutional Tribunal. «I can tell you already today that I am deeply concerned. This ruling calls into question the foundations of the European Union. It is a direct challenge to the unity of the European legal order,» von der Leyen evaluated, according to a post on her Twitter account.
Poland pledges resistance to EU «political blackmail», while von der Leyen «deeply concerned»
