And the bloc hit back, suggesting that very serious issues in relation to primacy of EU law were at stake with more chatter about Poland following the UK s example with a so-called Polexit. The nationalist government of Poland has been in conflict with the European Commission in Brussels in 2015 over judicial reforms, media freedoms and LGBT rights since taking power in 2015.
However, a recent court ruling that parts of Polish law are incompatible with EU law has brought matters to a head. Mr Morawiecki, a member of the Law and Justice Party, told the Polish parliament: We are at a crucial moment, you could say at a crossroads in the EU history. How far will Europe retreat before the usurpation of some EU institutions? The ruling of Poland's constitutional tribunal, an institution which government critics say has become politicized as part of reforms they say undermine judicial independence, challenges a key tenet of European integration. Poland says the EU has overstepped its mandate by attempting to prevent the government's judicial reforms and that the Constitutional Tribunal ruling asserts the primacy of the Polish constitution in a way that is no different from rulings handed down by courts in other European countries. Asked about Mr Morawiecki's comment on Thursday, Commission spokesman Christian Wigand said the EU executive had the task of safeguarding the proper functioning of the Union's legal order and will continue to ensure that rights of Europeans under the Treaties will continue to be protected. Covid warns horror winter temperatures and misfortune in Chris Whitty's AX3 season as cases soar.
Donald Trump to announce 2024 challenge to Biden 'imminently' REVEALED Lego to remove gender bias from its toys after survey findings INSIGHT EU exit fears spark mass protests in Poland PICTURES The question of Polish strained relations with the EU has been a topic of discussion throughout the EU 27 in recent months. Speaking earlier this week, Emmanuel Macron, the EU s future Brexit negotiator poised to challenge French President Michel Barnier in the next year election, raised a question mark about Warsaw's ongoing membership. He told the broadcaster BFM TV: In Poland it is not a question of law, it is a political issue. It is very serious. The Polish people, the current government, is trying to frustrate justice and coerce justice. Why do people say that they hate the European treaties and against their constitution? This is a very serious problem. He added: This issue should be done politically and the European Council, the Council of Heads of State and Government, should ask Polish people if they want to stay in the EU or not. Mr Barnier said, referring to his country s adherence to EU law: We made a commitment. How will I do. That is what we do and what I plan to do.