The European Commission launched  consultancies with the EU member states on whether to take further action against Poland in an ongoing dispute over the rule of law, according to diplomatic sources.

The European Commission criticises the Polish government, accusing of undermining democratic checks and balances, namely through its overhaul of Poland’s constitutional court.

The ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party has refused to follow EU recommendations based on Venice Commission opinion, claiming that the Commission is transgressing its remit in instructing a democratically elected government with a large parliamentary majority.

First Vice President Frans Timmermans told his Commission colleagues at their weekly meeting on Wednesday he wanted to take the Polish case to other EU states, officials confirmed. However with support for Polish government, arriving from Hungary, the task of Timmermans becomes increasingly complicated, risking to lay news divides between West and East  EU member-states.