Polish MEP Dominik Tarczyński loves and defends his country in Brussels with Eurostat data

MEPs warn Commission to activate rule of law mechanism without delay

#eudebates #Hungary #Orban #EU #Poland #VETO

MEPs stressed that Parliament will use all means at its disposal if the Commission fails to fulfil its obligations in using the new mechanism to protect the budget.

In a plenary debate on Thursday, MEPs quizzed Commissioner Hahn on why the Commission has not yet used the mechanism to protect the EU’s budget from breaches to the principles of the rule of law. Highlighting that the new rules entered into force on 1 January, almost all speakers reiterated that the provisions on the mechanism are legally binding, in contrast to the European Council’s conclusions on the matter, which carry no legal effect.

Several speakers highlighted that the EU must use the mechanism to fulfil its promises, meet citizens’ expectations and avoid losing credibility. The real beneficiaries of EU funding (such as students and civil society) must be protected, some MEPs stressed, and asked for clarity on the state of the Commission’s digital platform dedicated to this end.

Many MEPs reacted strongly to Commissioner Hahn’s statement that work on the guidelines for the new mechanism needs to be completed before it is used, and that the guidelines need to take into account the ECJ ruling where appropriate. Highlighting an array of long-standing issues and the continuous deterioration of the situation in some countries, including Hungary and Poland, they asked for immediate action to prevent further damage to the EU’s budget and values. The Commission has an obligation to act as a politically independent body and is the guardian of the Treaties, some MEPs pointed out.

In contrast, a few speakers denounced the debate and the mechanism itself as politically motivated, with some among them asking for the Council’s conclusions to be respected.

Parliament will vote on a draft resolution on this topic during its March II plenary session, scheduled for 24-25 March.

According to the rules approved in December 2020, the Commission, after establishing that there has been a breach, will propose that the conditionality mechanism should be triggered against an EU government, and subsequently either cut or freeze payments from the EU budget to that member state. The Council will then have one month to vote on the proposed measures (or three months in exceptional cases), by qualified majority.

[entropyfun]

All those empty seats got paid that day with our money.

[nunopereira]

Excellent! Congratulations to the true Polish patriots! You are probably the last hope for a truly Christian Europe. Huge respect from Portugal.

[lukef]

Respect to Polska 🇵🇱
From Switzerland 🇨🇭

[isajay]

The guy is a Polish HERO 🇵🇱❤️ Thank you Dominik for actually having the BALLS to stand up for your country and freedom!

[iangreenhorn]

A rare European leader who and quite rightly so put their own citizens first, big respect from Scotland.

[ckwong]

Unlike most of the EU officials, Dominik has a backbone!

[wessexfox]

Big love to Poland from England, our nation could learn a lot from our Slavic brothers.

[wmichaelk]

Very good politician from Poland. Proud to be Polish🇵🇱

[andyachilleossilvereagle]

Right behind you Poland 🇵🇱 from Britain 🇬🇧

[GHnineteensixtysix]

Well done, you stand up for your people! Sending love from Northern Ireland, UK 🇬🇧

[suevialania]

🇵🇹👍🏻💚❤️🇵🇱Greetings to Poland from Portugal!!!

[luistaurus]

Poland, be strong and keep fighting for your country and your people. Respect 🙏 from Portugal 🇵🇹 to all true Polish Patriots. 💪😉🇵🇱👍

[willythebluebear]

Poland is one of the few European countries that still looks like what Europe should look like...

[hilihali]

respect from finland! this is man who speak!

[u]

Love Poland 🇵🇱 from 🇬🇷 and thanks for saving Europe from the brutality of the Ottoman Empire

[KusanBiswas]

I salute this Polish leader who stands up unapologetically for the Polish people.

[thActinoid]

Poland is so lucky to have such a patriotic leader. Love from India.

[taavidude]

Poland: Doesn't allow jihadists into country, no terrorist attacks.
Sweden, Germany and France: Allows jihadists into country, many terrorist attacks.

[jesusyeshuaisgodyahweh]

I love Poland! Greetings from Germany, please help us.🇵🇱✝️

[BeIteshazzar]

Stand strong in the Lord! Greetings from Hungary!