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EU Commission to end years-long rule-of-law fight with Poland.
The European Commission said on May 6 that it had taken the first steps to drop its sanctions procedure against Poland over the rule-of-law issues.
The EU's executive arm launched the procedure, which can lead to the suspension of certain rights, in 2017 against the Polish government at the time led by the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party.
"Today marks a new chapter for Poland. After more than 6 years, we believe that the Article 7 procedure can be closed," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X.
"I congratulate Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his government on this important breakthrough."
PiS failed to win a majority in the October 2023 parliamentary elections , losing to a coalition of center-right and left-wing parties led by Tusk.
Upon taking office , the new prime minister promised to address the rule of law issues and restore Warsaw's relationship with the EU.
"The Commission considers that there is no longer a clear risk of a serious breach of the rule of law in Poland within the meaning of Article 7," the commission's statement read.
Poland's PiS-led government had come under the EU's scrutiny for violations of fundamental values and encroachment on judicial independence. Hungary, led by conservative-populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, is the only country other than Poland to have been subjected to Article 7.
Energy workers targeted by Russian Lancet drone during repair in Donetsk Oblast.
The attack comes as Russia continues to target Ukraine's energy infrastructure with various types of weapons across the country.
Russian attack north of Kharkiv kills 4, wounds 8
Four civilians were killed and eight wounded in the attack, according to Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov.
Ukraine’s Navy says it destroyed Russian sea minesweeper Kovrovets overnight.
The report refutes Moscow’s earlier claims of having repelled all strikes on occupied Crimea overnight.
Air Force: All 37 Russian attack drones targeting Ukraine overnight shot down.
Russian forces targeted eight regions across Ukraine overnight, Kyiv, Odesa, and Vinnytsia oblasts, according to the Air Force’s report.
Moscow claims it repelled Kyiv’s ‘attempts’ to strike occupied Crimea, bordering Russian regions.
Moscow claims that it had shot down nine U.S.-provided long-range ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missiles, and a drone over Crimea.
Xi and Putin strengthen ties in areas of 'strategic and military relevance' - DW News.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday hailed the growth in bilateral trade between Russia and China and emphasized cultural exchange between the two superpowers. Visiting a trade fair in the northeastern Chinese city of Harbin on the second d...
Slovak PM Robert Fico's condition remains serious
Slovakia's prime minister Robert Fico remains in a serious condition after he was shot several times in an attempted assassination. In a press conference it was also confirmed that he is "conscious" and "stable" following the attack on Wednesday. ...
Deadly storms batter the South
Houston's mayor said at least four people had been killed in severe storms that struck the city on Thursday. Hundreds of thousands of people are without power in parts of Texas and Louisiana. Frances Rivera has the details on Early Today. » Subsc...
Video shows Ukrainian forces fighting Russian troops on the front line in the Kharkiv region.
Heavy fighting was reported to be taking place around the town of Vovchansk in Ukraine's Kharkiv region. The town was under constant barrage from Russian forces, Ukrainian officials said. » Subscribe to NBC News: NBC News Digital is a collection o...
This Morning’s Top Headlines – May. 17 - Morning News NOW
Hurricane-force winds tear through the Gulf Coast, Michael Cohen is accused of lying about a 2016 call he had with former President Trump and a historic day on Wall Street as the Dow Jones tops 40,000 for the first time. » Subscribe to NBC News: N...
House hearing spirals into chaos: Lawmakers 'screaming and insulting' each other.
Fox News' Madeleine Rivera provides details on the heated exchange between lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee, causing more than an hour-long delay in the hearing on a resolution to hold AG Merrick Garland in contempt. #FoxNews Subscribe t...