In its annual rule-of-law report published on Wednesday, the EU executive said that Poland has made significant progress in ensuring the independence of the prosecution service and in judicial reforms, thanks to a plan drawn up by Justice Minister Adam Bodnar.
The Commission also observed improvements in the fight against corruption but emphasized that the problem of overly broad immunities continues to affect the effectiveness of corruption investigations.
The EU Commission highlighted advancements in adhering to media licensing procedures and strengthening the independence of public media, but said it still has concerns about media licensing and the independence of regulatory bodies.
Poland was also praised for engaging civil society in legislative consultations and implementing recommendations from the Supreme Audit Office.
The European Commission noted progress in Poland’s response to the Pegasus surveillance scandal, including the establishment of a parliamentary inquiry and the appointment of a special team by the prosecutor-general to investigate its legality.
The Commission also acknowledged improvements in the implementation of asset declaration reforms, while highlighting the need for further work on lobbying regulations and media independence.
According to the European Commission, 75 percent of Poles agree that the EU plays an important role in helping to uphold the rule of law in their country.
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Source: PAP/x.com/European Commission
Click on the audio player above for a report by Radio Poland's Michał Owczarek.