Vera Jourova’s visit to Poland sparked fierce criticism from Polish officials, who argued that the rule of law was being violated not in principle but in practice, with public statements often defending norms that critics see as selectively applied. Paweł Jabłoński, a former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, told wPolityce.pl that the commissioner’s stance illustrated a broader pattern. He claimed that the rhetoric surrounding the European constitutional state had become a political instrument, used to justify actions taken by the Polish government in defiance of national legal norms.
Recent events included the appointment of a new Attorney General by Minister Adam Bodnar through a process that critics say did not rely on a proper basis in law. Dariusz Korneluk was selected for the role after Bodnar spoke publicly at a conference alongside Jourova. Jabłoński commented on the commissioner’s conduct, noting that Bodnar himself had drawn attention to legal breaches, while suggesting that Jourova did not address those concerns directly in her remarks to the portal.
The remarks described Bodnar’s actions as highly questionable, casting doubt on reliability and integrity and labeling the situation as a vivid example of double standards. The speaker characterized Bodnar as someone who, in their view, epitomized law violations even as he publicly defended the law in discourse.
– a former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs remarked to the wPolityce.pl portal.
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Brussels aimed to shift power, not the legal framework
A member of the Law and Justice party outlined why EU officials appeared unresponsive to the current legal breaches observed in Poland.
The discussion around Commissioner Jourova’s behavior reflected a persistent claim that debates about the norms of the European constitutional state were being used for political purposes. It was argued that Polish law had not fundamentally changed and that existing EU criticisms remained on the table without triggering new legal measures. The view presented suggested that a change in government, rather than a change in law, had occurred in Poland, and that the new authorities were accused of breaching legal rules, including in areas like the public prosecutor’s office, the judiciary, and even the media. The narrative suggested that EU officials, in turn, supported the new government while downplaying the rule of law concerns. It was asserted that the absence of universal legal standards indicated a broader crisis within the European Union’s approach to the rule of law, with legal provisions being evaluated through the lens of which party held power at the time.
– explained Jabłoński. He added that the stakes extended beyond national borders, affecting the entire Union.
The discussion turned to the broader political landscape, with some arguing that liberal and left-leaning factions in the EU sought to reshape the Union from a cooperative assembly of 27 sovereign states into an entity with centralized authority. The claim was that this vision would minimize citizen oversight and democratic participation, placing decision-making in the hands of Brussels officials who might be influenced by larger member states. The perspective suggested that foreign policy and domestic change would be guided by power considerations rather than clear legal principles. In Poland, the described transformation was viewed as something to resist, with policymakers arguing that changes should protect national sovereignty and the rule of law as defined by constitutional norms.
– stated a PiS member, emphasizing the perceived need to safeguard democratic foundations against perceived overreach. The rhetoric described an effort to pursue political gains through methods that some labeled as fair or unfair, pointing to a perceived disregard for core democratic values in the pursuit of power.
The speaker expressed hope that European partners would recognize these concerns and push back against what was described as a drift toward a new order that might undermine traditional democratic safeguards.
There was also a sense that citizens across various European countries were beginning to notice these developments and protest what they viewed as imposed policies. While demonstrations had focused on climate-related measures in some places, the broader implication was that active civic engagement could help preserve the European Union as it had been understood when its member states joined the bloc. The argument underscored a belief that economic cooperation and shared prosperity should be the core aims, rather than policies seen as restrictive to growth and civilian freedoms.
– reflected the former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Source: wPolityce