A "systemic risk to the rule of law" continues in Poland, the resolution states. It was supported by the EP's five largest factions from across the political spectrum. The resolution is symbolic only, but aims to keep the topic in focus. For many Social Democrats, it is a means of dialogue. They see an increasing tendency to attack basic freedoms, said Gianni Pitella, the head of theSocial Democrat parliamentary group. "We are fighting for you, not against you," he said. [...]
"The PiS has a master plan to redo Polish society," said German MEP Sylvia-Yvonne Kaufmann. She visited Poland with a delegation, meeting with opposition groups, concerned by developments there, but hopeful that Poland's civil society will rise to meet the challenge. The Committee for the Defense of Democracy has been the main organizer of past demonstrations, and she believes they will continue their movement. An event with more than 1,000 anti-government judges called for democratic engagement.
However, Kaufmann herself sees PiS popularity increasing, due to its handing out of social benefits. The EU can do little except keep the public spotlight on the situation. Kaufmann fears difficult times ahead for the Visegrad Group, consisting of Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. A stronger trend towards "block building" would be dangerous for European cohesion.
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