Poland to Face European Commission Scrutiny as ECJ Ruling Deadline Looms

LOCAL NEWS

• Poland will likely face further scrutiny by the European Commission of its changes to the judiciary branch, as govt will likely only mention the current freezing of the disciplinary chamber of the Supreme Court and plans for further reform in its letter to the Commission that is due Monday.
  • Govt's aim for now seems to be mostly to avoid financial penalties, but Brussels will likely be more interested in what will replace the disciplinary chamber. The commission expects Poland to shut down the chamber after a CJEU ruling to the effect
• President Duda says he might veto the controversial media bill on foreign holdings in local broadcast media outlets.
  • Duda assured he would defend constitutional rules, including the freedom of speech and the freedom to run economic activity, and stressed Poland will always keep its economic and military agreements
• Ex Deputy PM Gowin says Poland is facing deep budget cuts after ramping up fiscal stimulus during the pandemic, and may opt for early elections in the spring of 2022.
  • "When the truth about the state of the budget reaches the public, Law & Justice will have no chance of winning."
  • Poland isn't scheduled to hold a parliamentary election until late 2023; triggering a snap ballot would require both the ruling party and the main opposition groups voting together to shorten the parliamentary term
• Data:1400BST: July CPI Core exp at 3.6% vs 3.5% prior