On Wednesday, the European Commission filed a lawsuit against Poland over the country’s contentious establishment of an investigative agency into “Russian influence” that has been widely seen as an attempt to silence the political opposition.
Even though Polish President Andrzej Duda said last week that he would propose modifying the legislation on the panel in response to criticism from the EU’s executive and the United States, an infringement proceeding was announced.
The commission “agreed to start an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Warsaw,” according to the EU’s vice president, Valdis Dombrovskis.
Poland, a close neighbor and steadfast supporter of Russia’s invaded Ukraine, formed the committee to look into any Russian influence on its citizenry.
The measure was passed by Duda last week and includes a 10-year prohibition on holding any post with access to government funds or sensitive information for anyone found guilty.
However, opponents of the bill say it will be used to punish Donald Tusk, the head of the opposition, because it was sponsored by the ruling conservatives just months before parliamentary elections.
Due to its apparent intent, his party has even dubbed it the “Lex Tusk,” or Tusk Law.
On Tuesday, the EU voiced “special concern” about the committee, while the US stated that the legislation “could be used to block the candidacy of opposition politicians without due process.”
On Friday, Duda said that he has proposed an amendment to remove the fines.
The committee would instead make a statement saying the official had caved to Russian pressure and could no longer be trusted to act in the public good.
Duda, who is on good terms with the ruling conservatives, has also advocated replacing legislators and senators on the committee with subject matter experts.
He requested that his amendment be passed as quickly as possible by parliament.
Since taking office in 2015, Poland’s conservative government has been at odds with Brussels over allegations that it does not effectively enforce EU legislation, notably those pertaining to the judiciary.
Tusk, a former Polish prime minister and president of the European Council, is challenging the incumbent Law and Justice Party (PiS) in upcoming elections.
As leader of the moderate opposition party Civic Platform (PO), he organized the largest anti-government rally in Warsaw in 30 years, with half a million people taking to the streets last week.
