EU steps up action against Poland over supreme court law

BRUSSELS – The European Union is increasing pressure on Poland over what it sees as flaws in the country’s Supreme Court law, and has given Warsaw a month to act before facing possible court action.

Tuesday’s move centres on Polish legislation that forces the early retirement of over a third of the Supreme Court justices. The law is the culmination of the ruling populist Law and Justice party’s efforts to put Poland’s entire court system under its control, a plan it began nearly three years ago.

The EU Commission objected to the law, saying it falls short of the values guiding the 28-nation bloc, and said that Poland’s explanation “does not alleviate the Commission’s legal concerns.” It said a case could be opened at the EU’s highest court in a month.