Poland accuses EU of ‘blackmail’

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki accused the European Union of “blackmail” in a recent dispute over the country’s judicial reform.

“I do not agree with EU politicians blackmailing and threatening Poland,” Morawiecki said in a speech given to the European Parliament on Tuesday. Reflecting on the ruling from Poland’s constitutional court that challenged the supremacy of EU laws, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed deep concern over the ruling, calling it “a direct challenge” to the unity of the EU.

“We want a strong Poland in a united Europe,” Von der Leyen emphasized, citing cutting of Poland’s funds and the withdrawal of Polish voting rights in EU decisions as potential courses of action.