The European Commission has warned Poland's right-wing government that it has three months to apply Brussels' recommendations on the rule of law -- or Brussels could suspend Poland’s voting rights within the European Union.
The move comes after months of diplomacy since Poland's Law and Justice party won elections in October and imposed changes on Poland's top court, the Constitutional Tribunal, and on Poland’s public broadcaster.
Officials in Brussels are concerned that the changes could undermine democratic checks and balances in Poland.
Poland's parliament last week adopted a new law on the tribunal but did not address the concerns raised by Brussels.
Frans Timmermans, the deputy head of the European Commission, said the main issues that threaten the rule of law in Poland have not been resolved and that the Commission has taken the next step in a disciplinary procedure against Warsaw.