The European Commission launches legal action against Poland over 'Russian influence' law

The European Commission has launched legal action against Poland over a highly controversial law that establishes a special committee to investigate cases of so-called "Russian influence" inside the country.

"The College (of Commissioners) agreed to start an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice in relation to the new law on the state committee for examination of Russian influence," Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commission's executive vice-president, said on Wednesday afternoon.

The letter will be sent on Thursday.

A letter of formal notice is the first step of an infringement procedure, which can end up in the European Court of Justice (ECJ) if the wrongdoing is not eventually addressed. The ECJ can impose daily fines on a member state that refuses to comply with its rulings, as has been the case with Poland in the past.

At the core of the present dispute is a new law that sets up a committee with prosecutor-like powers to hold hearings on public officials and companies that are suspected of having acted to "the detriment of the interests" of Poland between the years 2007 and 2022.

The committee's chair will be elected by the prime minister.

Potential penalties, referred to in the law as "remedial measures," include bans on holding a security clearance, a position that involves the management of public funds or a weapons license.

The prohibitions could last up to 10 years.

The Polish government, led by the hard-right Law and Justice party (PiS), says the committee is necessary to strengthen the country's "cohesion and internal security" in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"The scale of Russian influence on the functioning of the Republic of Poland is still not fully explored," a government