Duda's Legislative Proposals Fan Conflicts, EU Commission Launches Infringement Procedure

Sources from Poland's governing Law and Justice party told Onet that their sense is that President Andrzej Duda bowed under pressure from public opinion as he proposed amendments to the law creating a special commission to investigate Russian influence in the country. The party is yet to decide on how to proceed, but Newsweek sources said that its top brass are leaning towards launching the commission according to the original timeline without summoning opposition politicians.

• The European Commission confirmed this morning that it has opened an infringement procedure against Poland for violations of EU law. The Commission deems the Russian influence probe to unduly interfere with the democratic process and has given Poland 21 days to reply to its letter of formal notice.
• Duda's other legislative initiative, a draft bill on cooperation between different Polish authorities during the country's upcoming EU presidency, also has the potential to ignite political conflict. The bill announced in a special address to the nation earlier this week would significantly expand the President's prerogatives in EU policy.
• Some see the draft bill is seen as the President's insurance policy in case Law and Justice loses this year's parliamentary elections. Such a scenario would involve cohabitation at least until 2025 when Duda's term expires, raising the prospect of hostility between the Cabinet and the Presidential Palace.