The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the Reasoned Proposal in accordance with Article 7(1) of the Treaty on European Union regarding the rule of law in Poland of 20 December 2017: Proposal for a Council decision on the determination of a clear risk of a serious breach by the Republic of Poland of the rule of law (COM(2017)0835),

–  having regard to the statement by the Commission of 28 February 2018 on its decision to activate Article 7(1) of the TEU as regards the situation in Poland,

–  having regard to Rule 123(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas its previous resolution of 15 November 2017 on the situation of the rule of law and democracy in Poland

Texts adopted, P8_TA(2017)0442.

1.  Notes that there has not been any breach of the rule of law by the Republic of Poland;

2.  Recalls that the Government of the Republic of Poland was elected with a large majority and continues to enjoy increasing support from its people;

3.  Considers any attempt to interfere in the Member States’ internal affairs to be unfounded;

4.  Reaffirms solemnly its attachment to the overriding principles of identity and national sovereignty, principles that form an indivisible whole with the principle of freedom;

5.  Reaffirms strongly its attachment to the principle of subsidiarity, enshrined in Article 5 of the TEU;

6.  Considers that the Commission’s targeting of the Republic of Poland’s ruling party is unjustified and politically driven;

7.  Recalls that the Commission is not a political body but the executive organ of the Union and must strictly comply with the Treaties, in particular with Article 5 of the TEU and Article 6 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU);

8.  Rejects the Commission’s decision of 20 December 2017 to activate Article 7(1) of the TEU as regards the situation in Poland;

9.  Calls on the Commission and Council to put an end to the process of activation of Article 7;

10.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and the Council, the President, Government and Parliament of Poland, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Council of Europe.