EU To Open Infringement Procedure Against Warsaw Over Russian Influence Law

EU Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis told reporters that Brussels will launch infringement proceedings against Poland over its enactment of controversially constructed law to probe Russian political influence in the country.

• The legislation has drawn the ire of Poland's legal community, civil society groups, opposition parties and foreign allies amid widespread perception that it could amount to a witch hunt ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election.
• In its current form, the panel investigating Russian influence would have unprecedented powers which could include preventing individuals from taking public office, albeit President Andrzej Duda proposed amendments that would strip the committee off most of these prerogatives.
• On Sunday, hundreds of thousands of people marched in Warsaw to protest against the government on the anniversary of Poland's first partially free election. The turnout was boosted by the ruling party's plan to question opposition leaders over alleged Russian meddling.