Former European Council President Donald Tusk, amid escalating confrontation over democratic standards, warned that Poland and Hungary’s conflicts with the European Union could begin a process that would lead to the bloc’s collapse
Brussels disagrees with Warsaw and Budapest on issues such as judicial independence and freedom of the press. The conflict, which escalated this week, comes as Poland’s constitutional tribunal ruled that the country should not comply with the EU’s highest court, while the European Commission took legal action against both countries over LGBT rights.
“If more such countries are found that insist on harming … the European Union, it might just mean the end of this organization”, – said Tusk, who has returned to domestic politics as leader of Poland’s main opposition party, the Civic Platform (PO).
Polls show that an overwhelming majority of Poles support EU membership, and there is no legal way to expel the country from the bloc.
The European Union Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Poland must suspend the disciplinary chamber for judges it says do not meet the necessary standards of independence.
A day earlier, Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal ruled that a previous request to suspend the chamber violated Poland’s constitution and the country should not comply.