In a resolution adopted on Tuesday with 472 votes in favour, 136 against, and 16 abstentions, members of the European Parliament (MEPs) said they were concerned about a recent election reform in Poland.
'Full-scale election observation mission' urged for Poland
MEPs said in their resolution that "the amendments to the Polish Electoral Code adopted ahead of the country’s forthcoming parliamentary elections in autumn 2023, and with the June 2024 European elections on the horizon, are deeply concerning."
The changes "may discriminate against those voting from abroad," MEPs added.
The resolution also said that "the chamber of the Polish Supreme Court tasked with electoral disputes 'cannot be considered an independent and impartial tribunal,'" the EU legislature said on its website.
The resolution urged the Polish authorities to "bring the way they run elections into line with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and other international democratic obligations and standards."
The European Parliament called for "a full-scale election observation mission for the upcoming parliamentary elections" in Poland "while the EU’s assessment of the rules is underway."
Poland asked to scrap state commission on Russian interference
EU lawmakers also "criticised heavily" a planned new Polish "state commission for the examination of Russian interference," saying the panel should be either scrapped or "suspended and amended," according to the europarl.europa.eu website.
The resolution described the commission, which aims to examine Russian influence in Polish politics from 2007 to 2022, as "an administrative body with the power to bar individuals from public office."
MEPs urged the Polish authorities to "repeal the relevant act," which they said, "according to critics, targets opposition figures," including former Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, "or at least to suspend its effect until the Venice Commission has delivered its urgent opinion and the legislation has been amended accordingly."
"If the act remains in force," MEPs said, the European Commission "should pursue an expedited infringement procedure as soon as possible and apply to the EU Court of Justice for interim measures."
The resolution added to a long-running dispute between the Polish government and EU institutions over the rule of law, news outlets reported.
Changes to Polish election law
Poland’s president in March approved changes to electoral law that officials say aim to bring polling stations closer to voters and increase turnout.
Under the new rules, drawn up by Poland’s ruling conservatives, municipalities without a well-developed mass transit system will need to provide voters with free transport to polling stations on election day.
Voters with disabilities and those aged 60 and older will be entitled to a free door-to-door transport service, bringing them from their homes to polling stations, according to officials.
The measure will also increase the number of polling stations nationwide by about 6,000, state news agency PAP reported.
All these new rules are expected to increase voter turnout, officials have told reporters.
The new regulations also include the creation of a Central Electoral Register, the PAP news agency reported.
Russian influence law
Poland’s lower house last month approved presidential amendments to a new law that establishes a state commission to investigate Russian influence in Polish politics.
The law, which took effect on May 31, establishes a state commission for the examination of Russian interference in the internal security of Poland from 2007 to 2022.
It was enacted as an initiative by Poland’s ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party.
On June 2, the president proposed amendments to the law, saying that the new commission of inquiry should not include lawmakers or have power to ban anyone from holding public office.
Instead, the panel should be empowered “to state that a person who has been found to be acting under Russian influence does not guarantee the proper performance of public duties," the president said.
Duda said he was sending amendments to parliament because he was aware of domestic and international criticism surrounding the law.
On June 8, the European Union’s executive Commission decided to open an infringement procedure against Poland, after concluding that “the new law violates the principle of democracy as well as the principle of legality and non-retroactivity of sanctions,” according to officials.
Polish MPs on June 16 approved the president's amendments and removed a provision whereby the commission would have been obliged to publish its first report on September 17, the PAP news agency reported.
The amendments now go to the Senate, the upper house, for consideration.
