# Commission opens Article 7(1) against Poland while Timmermans is First Vice-President

Date: 2017

On 20 December 2017 the Commission triggered Article 7(1) TEU against Poland over judicial capture. [Timmermans](/people/env-frans-timmermans) was First Vice-President for the rule of law. Opening is a completed Union act, not a Council sanction.

## People

- Frans Timmermans: https://factrail.ai/people/frans-timmermans

## Drivers

- Judicial independence erosion (court capture): https://factrail.ai/drivers/justice-judicial-independence-erosion

## Sources

- https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-poland-idUSKBN1EE1G4/
- https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52017PC0835

## Methodology

https://factrail.ai/methodology

Canonical: https://factrail.ai/facts/eu-article7-poland-timmermans