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It was to be the court ruling heard across Europe.
Warsaw’s Constitutional Tribunal earlier this month ruled that a portion of the EU treaty law—which is the law of the land in Europe—is “incompatible with the Polish constitution” and the country’s constitution should take precedence. (SEE: “POLEXIT PROTESTS IN POLAND: ‘EXIT THE EU’ TREND GROWING” Oct 2021.)
The relationship between Warsaw and Brussels since the ruling has reached a low point—despite Warsaw insisting that it has no intention of doing its best Boris Johnson imitation. (SEE: “BRITAIN NO LONGER ‘EUROPE’S WALL ST.’ AFTER BREXIT.”)
Mateusz Morawieki, the Polish prime minister, accused the EU of making demands with a “gun to our head” after the country was hit with a record fine for failing to dissolve the disciplinary tribunal at the heart of the controversy. The tribunal was put in place in 2018 and is intended to keep an eye on judges appointed before President Andrzej Duda took office. The tribunal—which is said to have the ability to discipline judges—is seen by the EU as a threat to judicial independence in the country.
The EU said it will impose a $1.6 million fine each day the tribunal stays in place. In the meantime, the EU is withholding billions in recovery funds from the country over the stalemate.
Morawiecki vowed to dismantle the tribunal, but said Brussel’s decision to withhold the cash could start the “third world war.” He vowed to defend the country’s “rights with any weapons which are at our disposal.”
“We will get this money sooner or later,” he said, referring to the €36bn in COVID aid. “The later we get it, the stronger the proof that there is this discrimination treatment and diktat type of approach from the European Commission.”
The clash has some concerned that Poland could begin looking for a way out of the EU. The BBC reported that an opinion poll showed that 40.8 percent of Poles believe Warsaw “should concede defeat” and move on; about 32.5 percent called for compromise.
TREND FORECAST: As the European economy dives into recession and depression, and as the immigration problems persist, there will be growing populist, “EXIT-EU” movements throughout the Eurozone.
Trends Journal reported in November 2020 on the massive protests that broke out in the country, (See “POLAND SET FOR MORE PROTESTS OVER ABORTION RIGHTS.”) that include protesters claiming a court’s decision and COVID-19 lockdown mandates are two examples of Warsaw skipping the democratic process and using its favorable courts to approve the measures. This in turn will also create new anti-establishment political parties.