EU debates Poland’s controversial new Russian influence commission

The EU General Affairs Council met in Brussels on Tuesday to hold hearings on the rule of law in Poland and respect for EU values in Hungary.

The European Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, expressed concern about the creation of a commission of inquiry in Poland that could have the power to block citizens from public office in the name of an inquiry into “Russian influence”.

Brussels is worried the new panel could be used against independent judges in Poland, and the European Commission Commissioner for Justice said the EU “will not hesitate to take measures” if it is deemed necessary.

He said: “We are particularly concerned by the adoption of a new law in Poland on a special committee which, with members elected by Parliament, would allow citizens to be deprived of their right to hold an elective office without the possibility of legal review.”

The Polish parliament passed the Russian influence bill on Friday, May 26, by a 234-219 margin, with one abstention.

The law established a commission that will investigate alleged Russian influence on Poland’s internal security from 2007-2022.

Poland’s President Andrzej Duda explained why he signed the bill into law on Monday.

He said: “Transparency in explaining important public and political issues is of the utmost importance to me. I believe that it is the public opinion that should form its own opinions on how its various representatives operate, including those elected in general elections, who are entrusted with very responsible state functions.”

With Poland heading to the polls this autumn, the opposition argues that the commission could target leading opposition figures such as Donald Tusk, a former prime minister and now leader of Civic Platform (PO), the largest opposition party. Civic Platform and the Polish People’s Party ruled Poland from 2007-2015.

Donald Tusk watched Friday’s vote in the Sejm from the visitors’ gallery.