EU threatens Poland with unprecedented sanctions

The EU warned Poland's right-wing government Wednesday to suspend controversial court reforms or risk unprecedented sanctions, sharply escalating a standoff with Warsaw.

Brussels threatened to trigger moves soon aimed at halting Poland's voting rights in the 28-nation bloc due to a "grave" threat to Polish judicial independence.

It also warned it could launch other disciplinary action as early as next week.

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Polish cities against the governing Law and Justice party's reforms, which would give parliament powers over the selection of judges.

"These laws considerably increase the systemic threat to the rule of law in Poland," European Commission vice president Frans Timmermans said after a high-level meeting on Poland.

"Collectively, they would abolish any remaining judicial independence and put the judiciary under full political control of the government."

http://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/eu-threatens-poland-unprecedented-sanctions-1435891