Following the decision of the European Commission to trigger Article 7.1 of the EU treaties in response to violations of the rule of law and the separation of power in Poland, S&D Group President Gianni Pittella said:  

"We fully support the decision of the European Commission to launch Article 7 procedures. The Commission is the guardian of the treaties and it is essential that they act when they see a clear threat to the rule of law in any Member State. This is not a political decision but a necessary step based on the treaties. It comes after two years of overtures and invitations to dialogue addressed by the Commission to the Polish government, which unfortunately fell on deaf ears. The Commission had no choice but to launch Article 7.

"This is a development caused by the Polish government. We urge President Andrzej Duda to veto the laws adopted last week by the Polish parliament, and begin process of resolving this SITUATION. Further, we urge Law and Justice leader Jarosław Kaczyński and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki to follow all the recommendations sent by the Commission today and change all of the offending laws.

"The separation of powers is essential to ensure that the EU works effectively. We have to fight to protect it wherever it is under threat. Poland is a vital part of the EU and we urge the government to come back to the negotiating table and finally end this stalemate."