Poland’s right-wing government and the European Commission said yesterday (24 May) they were upbeat about finding a solution that would roll back Warsaw’s overhaul of the top Polish court, which critics warn endangers its independence.

However, neither side provided details about the measures meant to change controversial legislation introduced by the Law and Justice (PiS) government that has paralysed the constitutional court.

The Law and Justice (PiS) government plunged Poland into a political crisis in December, within weeks of winning power, when it pushed through legislation to overhaul the constitutional court and modify its decision-making rules.

EU warns Poland to protect 'rule of law' over judicial crisis The European Union warned eastern European powerhouse Poland to avoid endangering the rule of law with controversial reforms that former president Lech Wa??sa said undermined democracy and made the country a laughing stock.

In January, the European Commission launched an unprecedented probe to see if the changes – seen by critics as endangering the institution’s independence – violated EU democracy rules and merited punitive measures.

EU takes unprecedented step against Poland over rule of law The European Commission announced on Sunday (3 January) that it would discuss the state of the rule of law in Poland after the country’s hard-right government pushed through changes to the judiciary and media over the Christmas break.

On 18 May the Commission warned it could take further action against Poland, unless Warsaw’s conservative government makes “significant” progress.

Commission raises pressure on Poland in rule of law row The European Commission warned that it could take further action against Poland over its commitment to the rule of law on Wednesday (18 May), unless Warsaw’s conservative government makes “significant” progress.

Last week, the excutive gave Warsaw until Monday (23 May) to make substantial progress in addressing its concerns, threatening to pursue a procedure which could ultimately see Poland stripped of its voting rights in the EU – something never done before.

The Monday deadline came and went, without any action by the commissioner.

“I am confident we are moving towards finding a sustainable solution to this problem,” European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans told reporters in Warsaw after talks with Prime Minister Beata Szydło.

Szydło said that changes her government will introduce “are intended to heal the situation around the Constitutional Tribunal and fulfil the principles of a democratic state with the rule of law.”

The conciliatory tone comes just five days after Szydło accused Brussels of violating Poland’s sovereignty and vowed that Warsaw would never bow to any EU ultimatum on the Constitutional Tribunal.

Polish premier says will never bow to EU 'ultimatum' Poland’s right-wing Prime Minister Beata Szydlo vowed Friday (20 May) that her government would never bow to any EU ultimatum and accused some members of the European Commission of trying to “destroy” the 28-member bloc.

“We both agree this is a matter that Poland must resolve itself, but as an EU member we are always open to dialogue and providing information about our steps,” Szydło said.

Warsaw is unlikely to be subject to any punitive measures by Brussels over its controversial legislative moves, which also include tightening the government’s grip on public media.

Poland’s regional ally Hungary has vowed to torpedo any possible sanctions, which would require the unanimous approval of all 28 EU members.

Earlier this month, around a quarter of a million Poles marched to defend their country’s place in the European Union and protest against the PiS government’s dismantling of democratic checks and balances.

240,000 Poles join landmark pro-EU march Around a quarter of a million Poles flooded central Warsaw on Saturday (7 May), marching to defend their country’s place in the European Union and protest against moves by the right-wing government, which they claim undermine democracy.