EU takes legal action over Poland’s committee to probe Russian influence

By Agnes Szucs

BRUSSELS (AA) – The European Commission launched a legal action against Poland over the country’s controversial law setting up a body to probe Russian influence, the vice president of the EU executive body announced on Tuesday.

The European Commission “agreed to start an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice in relation to the new law on the state committee for examination of Russian influence,” Valdis Dombrovskis told a news conference after the meeting of EU commissioners.

Dani Spinant, the deputy chief spokesperson of the EU executive body, said the letter would be officially sent on Thursday.

Despite criticism that the law is targeting the opposition, Polish President Andrzej Duda signed the bill last week on setting up a special body meant to investigate Russian influence.

People, found to be under Russian influence by the strong-mandated body, can be banned from assuming public office for 10 years under the new law.

On Sunday, over 500,000 people took to the streets in the Polish capital Warsaw to protest the law.

The new infringement procedure subscribes into the long-standing debate between the EU and Poland over the country’s judicial reforms that curb judicial independence and undermine the primacy of EU law.