Poland is blatantly violating the EU's fundamental values – this has to stop

Reacting to the adoption yesterday of a contentious judiciary reform in the Polish Sejm, the Socialists and Democrats call on the Polish government to return to the rule of law and the democratic values of the European Union.

Tanja Fajon, S&D MEP and vice-president, said:

"The adoption of the judiciary reform plan by the Sejm yesterday is a major setback for judicial independence and the separation of powers in Poland. This vote is not about reforming but blowing up the system of checks and balances. Jarosław Kaczyński and his nationalist Law and Justice party are dragging Poland further away from the EU's democratic norms. We call on the Polish government to stop going down this slippery slope and return to the democratic values of the European family.

"The European Union can't allow a member country to blatantly violate its fundamental values. Over recent months we have witnessed the mutilation of the courts in Poland, restrictions on the right of assembly and limits on the rights of women. It is high time the situation in Poland is put on the agenda of the next European Council."