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EU Commission Threatens Poland's Bloc Voting Rights Over Judicial Reforms

© REUTERS / Kacper PempelPeople wave EU and Polish flags as they march during anti-government demonstration organized by main opposition parties in Warsaw, Poland May 7, 2016.
People wave EU and Polish flags as they march during anti-government demonstration organized by main opposition parties in Warsaw, Poland May 7, 2016. - Sputnik International
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EC President Jean-Claude Juncker said Wednesday that Poland's voting rights in the Eu could be suspended in case Warsaw goes ahead with its controversial judicial reforms.

Anti-government protesters raise candles and shout slogans, as they gather in front of the Supreme Court in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday, July 22, 2017 - Sputnik International
'The EU's Next Big Test': Against What Poland Protests Almost a Week
BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — The European Commission (EC) could suspend Poland's European Union voting rights if Warsaw goes ahead with its controversial judicial reforms, EC President Jean-Claude Juncker said Wednesday.

"If the Polish government goes ahead with undermining the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law in Poland, we will have no other choice than to trigger Article 7," Juncker said in a press release.

The EC recommends against the dismissal or forced retirement of Polish Supreme Court judges as a step that would "seriously aggravate the systemic threat to the rule of law."

Polish farright activists hold anti-EU banner as they take part in demonstration against accepting over 2000 immigrants to Poland, Warsaw on a July 25, 2015 - Sputnik International
EU Commission Not Concerned About Poland's Possible Loss of Membership
Moreover, Poland has 30 days to address the European Commission's (EC) concerns over Warsaw's controversial judicial reforms, EC First Vice-President Frans Timmermans said Wednesday.

"It is time to restore the independence of the Constitutional Tribunal and to either withdraw the laws reforming the judiciary or bring them in line with the Polish Constitution and with European standards on judicial independence," Timmermans said.

The EC recommended Poland "to address the problems within one month, and to inform the Commission of the steps taken to that effect," according to an accompanying press release.

Timmermans vowed to "act upon" Warsaw's response when asked what actions Brussels could take if Poland either breached the deadline or failed to address its concerns.

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