EU court rules Poland must pay €320M fine over judicial reforms

The European Union's high court has ruled that the European Commission acted lawfully in withholding 8320 million ($332 million) from Poland over a fine imposed on its previous conservative government. This record fine stemmed from Polandâs refusal to dismantle a controversial judicial disciplinary chamber, which the Commission believed undermined the independence of judges. Despite a change in leadership in 2023 to a pro-rule of law government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the challenge to the fine was still progressing. The EU launched the dispute in 2019, criticizing democratic backsliding in both Poland and Hungary. The fine was enforced after Polandâs top court declared the supremacy of Polish law over EU law. Though Polish President Andrzej Duda later conceded to EU demands in 2022, part of the pandemic relief funds remains impacted. Expert Jakub Jaraczewski noted that both Poland and Hungary, as net recipients of EU funds, are vulnerable to withheld payments. Hungary may also face a 8200 million fine for defying EU asylum rules. Both Poland and the Commission have two months to appeal the ruling.