The European Commission has approved Poland’s recovery plan. The plan has been frozen due to a dispute between Poland and the EU over the rule of law.
BRUSSELS Exceptionally, the Commission had to vote in favor of the Polish recovery plan, Commissioner for Economic Affairs Paolo Gentiloni confirmed at a press conference in Brussels.
Poland has great benefits
Poland is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the recovery instrument. Terrestrial share (switch to another service) EUR 35.4 billion, of which EUR 23.9 billion would be in the form of direct grants and EUR 11.5 billion in the form of loans.
Recovery funds will be used, among other things, to promote the green transition and digitalisation.
The President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen will present a recovery plan tomorrow, Thursday, during a visit to Poland.
The status of the judiciary is rubbing in the EU
The Commission and the Council, which represents the EU member states, have already approved the recovery plans of most member states. However, the plans of Poland and Hungary have been frozen due to controversy over the so-called rule of law.
In the case of Poland, the dispute has concerned the status of the “disciplinary body” supervising the country’s judges. The judges of the supervisory body are elected on political grounds. According to the European Court of Justice, disciplinary action against judges is not in line with EU law.
In October, the European Court of Justice ordered Poland to pay fines of one million euros a day for violations of the rule of law. Last week, the Polish parliament decided by a vote of the ruling parties to abolish the supervisory body
Poland’s actions will continue to be monitored
According to the EU Commission, Poland’s recovery plan addresses concerns about the independence of the judiciary. However, before the first payments, Poland has to show that the changes in the disciplinary body and the status of judges have been implemented in practice.
The Commission is also monitoring the use of recovery funds more generally. Each country must show that the funds have been used as required by the EU.
Poland’s recovery plan still needs the approval of the EU Council.