The European Commission's 2026 Rule of Law Report on Poland, published on 22 July 2026, notes some progress in judicial reforms but highlights significant setbacks, including the President's veto of a law to strengthen the National Council for the Judiciary (NCJ) and ongoing concerns about the Constitutional Tribunal and Supreme Court.
42% of the public (up from 24% in 2025) and 44% of companies (up from 24%) now rate it 'fairly or very good'. However, key reforms remain stalled. Parliament approved a law in January 2026 restoring peer election of judicial members to the NCJ, but the President vetoed it in February 2026, calling it unconstitutional. The Sejm then appointed 15 judges-members on 15 May 2026 under current rules, with 13 pre-selected by peers; the new Council convened on 11 June 2026.
The report also highlights that the EU Court of Justice confirmed serious concerns about the Constitutional Tribunal. A revised draft law on judges appointed via the post-2017 NCJ is under parliamentary discussion. Plans to amend the Supreme Court's structure remain unfinished, and the appointment of a new First President is contested. On prosecution, limited steps have been taken to separate the Minister of Justice from the Prosecutor General, with further legislative work ongoing.
In the area of corruption, no progress has been made on lobbying rules or immunities for top executives. A standardised online asset declaration system has been announced but not implemented. On media, a draft bill on fair licensing procedures was presented, but concerns persist over the liquidation of major public service media and local press pluralism. Legislative work continues to amend the law on public benefit activities affecting civil society.
The report concludes that Poland has made some progress on its Rule of Law Action Plan and judicial independence perceptions, but key reforms—on the NCJ, Supreme Court, prosecution separation, lobbying rules, and media governance—remain stalled or contested, with the President's veto and Constitutional Tribunal rulings blocking advances.