Following an exchange of views today with EU Commission first vice-president Frans Timmermans in the European Parliament civil liberties committee on respect of the rule of law in Poland, S&D Group leader Gianni Pittella stated:

"The rule of law should not serve a political interest. Yet the Polish government continues to openly infringe upon this crucial democratic principle for their own political interests; sliding Poland out of the EU's legal framework.

"Poland is a sovereign member state and the European Commission's actions do not infringe upon this sovereignty, however, like all other member states, Poland has a responsibility to uphold the laws and Treaties it has signed and ratified. An independent judiciary is at the core of European democracy. Democracy and European values must be respected. Hence, the S&D Euro MPs fully supports commissioner Timmermans’ efforts to resolve the conflict on the respect of the rule of law in Poland. We also urge Polish authorities to engage in a real and constructive dialogue with the European Commission.

 "By turning a blind eye to the warnings and concerns of the European institutions, the Polish government is simply steering Poland away from democratic and European values".