New reforms to Poland's judiciary could aggravate the systematic threat to the rule of law in the country, EU Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans told MEPs on November 6. Timmermans is urging the Polish government to take into account not only the concerns of the EU, but also other watchdog groups, including the Venice Commission, and make sure the planned reforms do not infringe EU rules. Timmermans specifically pointed to the new power of the justice minister to appoint and dismiss senior judges as a problem area, as it allows for political interference.