The European Parliament’s main political groups have united in demanding a full-scale election observation mission ahead of Poland’s crucial general election later this year, amid ongoing protests against the current government and a call for a stronger democracy.
In a joint letter on Tuesday (7 June) to Matteo Mecacci, Director for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights at the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the leaders of Greens/EFA, EPP, S&D, Renew and GUE groups demanded a full observation mission and expressed “concern that the elections might not be held to the highest democratic standards.”
While Poland has been in a long-running dispute with the European Commission over the rule of law, and particularly judicial independence, it is the recent adoption of a new law to create a Commission with the alleged aim of investigating Russian influence that has prompted international criticism of the ruling right-wing Law and Justice party.
The new commission to be established by the bill will investigate Russian influence in Polish politics from 2007 to 2022. Under the new law, a public figure who acted under Russian influence may be banned from holding a security clearance or working in roles related to distributing public funds.
In their joint letter, the group leaders warn that the new law “will mainly be used to prevent opposition members from taking up office if elected as it allows for a ban on individuals to perform public functions related to the distribution of public funds for up to ten years.
“Such legislation, if adopted, would raise major issues regarding compliance with the right to be elected, freedom of expression and freedom of association. We consider this a cynical example of exploitation of the Russian aggression against Ukraine to create a chilling effect on politicians, media, and civil society,” they concluded.
The European Commission and the United States have also condemned the bill.
The group leaders also expressed concerns about recent changes to Poland’s Electoral Code and other measures potentially benefiting the ruling party, such as setting up new voting stations only in small towns and villages, areas which typically see high levels of support for PiS.
The letter also expresses “fear that the structural lack of independence of the judiciary and media landscape will further threaten the integrity of the upcoming elections.”
PiS sits in the European Conservative and Reformist group, the only major political group in the Parliament not to sign the letter.
PiS has been in power since 2015 and has enjoyed consistent opinion poll leads. However, the gap between PiS and the opposition Civil Coalition, led by former European Council President Donald Tusk, has tightened to within 5 points in recent weeks.
The elections will be held on or before 11 November this year.
“The Polish government’s new law that could ban opposition candidates from official functions, along with draconian modifications to the Electoral Code, shows that PiS are employing extreme authoritarian tactics to stay in power,” said Terry Reintke MEP, Greens/EFA President, in a statement.
The call for full observation comes from huge anti-government protests in Warsaw last week. At the weekend, hundreds of thousands of protestors gathered in the capital city to march against PiS and Kaczynski, waving placards stating “democracy” and “we will win”.
Frustrations voiced by the protestors include inflation, rights for women and the LGBT community, and the cost of living. Concerns are also being raised against the Russian influence law.
[Edited by Alice Taylor]
Read more with EURACTIV
IAG group looking to bid in TAP privatisation process
Source: euractiv.com
