MEPs defer debate as Poland marks martial law anniversary

The decision comes amid criticism of initial plans to hold the debate on Tuesday, when Poland marks 35 years since the imposition of martial law by its former communist authorities.

On 13 December 1981, Poland’s last communist leader General Wojciech Jaruzelski imposed martial law in a crackdown on rising opposition, headed by the Solidarity movement. Thousands of opposition activists were jailed and dozens were killed.

Political deadlock

A motion to defer the European Parliament debate by one day was submitted by Polish MEP Bugusław Liberadzki of the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) party.

After coming to power late last year, Poland’s conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party introduced sweeping changes, including to the judiciary, which triggered a political deadlock over the country’s constitutional court.

Critics of the government argue its reforms have eroded democracy and rights in Poland, a charge PiS has fiercely rejected.

Wednesday’s debate, after which no resolution is planned, is expected to begin with the European Commission presenting a review of developments in Poland.

In January, the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, announced it was starting a "rule-of-law" probe into whether laws pushed through by Law and Justice violate EU standards.

The process could in theory eventually lead to Brussels imposing penalties on Warsaw, but any such move would have to be backed unanimously by EU member states. Hungary has said it would not support sanctions.

(pk)

Source: PAP