the European Commission denounces a controversial commission of inquiry into “Russian influence”

The European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders denounced, on Tuesday 30 May, the creation in Poland of a commission of inquiry into “Russian influence” capable of condemning political leaders without the control of a judge. The European politician went so far as to threaten Warsaw with an infringement procedure.

Polish President Andrzej Duda on Monday gave the green light to the creation of this body, described as“unconstitutional” and of “Stalinist” by the opposition and a number of jurists, in the run-up to the legislative elections in the fall. Composed of nine members chosen by a lower house dominated by the populist nationalist camp, this body will be able to decide whether or not the country’s political leaders succumbed to Russian influence in the years 2007-2022. He will also be able to condemn them, without effective control of justice, alert the observers. The person found guilty may be banned from holding public positions related to access to public finances and classified information for ten years.

Washington also says it is “concerned”

“We are particularly concerned about the adoption of a new law in Poland on a special committee which would allow (…) to deprive citizens of their right to hold elective office without there being any possible legal action”, said the Belgian commissioner on arriving at a meeting of European affairs ministers in Brussels. The European Commission “will not hesitate to take initiatives if the law is effectively in force and poses this type of problem”he warned, thus raising the threat of a new infringement procedure against Poland.

In Washington, the State Department said to itself “concerned” by the adoption of this new legislation “which could be misused to interfere with free and fair elections in Poland”. Poland has already been the subject of several condemnations by European justice for its reforms, accused of undermining judicial independence, which notably earned it a daily fine of 500,000 euros.