The year 2019 is of particular importance for the European Union. The election to the European Parliament (23–26 May) showed an increased interest of the public in the Member States in the future of the Union, as manifested by a high turnout (above 50%). That allows room for some optimism regarding the main challenge that European integration has faced in recent years: a growing rise of anti-European, nationalistic, xenophobic, populist movements. These have seen a relative weakening in the European Parliament, while the pro-integration groupings have won a comfortable majority, with Greens and Liberals getting stronger than ever at the cost of the previously domineering the Christian Democrats and the Socialists. The election was followed by the vitally important selection of candidates for top EU positions, with the new College of Commissioners certainly being the centre of attention. In her agenda for Europe, Ursula von der Leyen, designated President of the European Commission, presented the most important guidelines for the upcoming term of 2019–2024: 1) European Green Deal, 2) An economy that works for people, 3) A Europe fit for the digital age, 4) Protecting our European way of life (including the rule of law and the creation of migration policy), 5) A stronger Europe in the world, 6) A new push for European democracy. On the other hand, the year 2019 is also essential for Poland’s position in the process of European integration. In the recent four years, the ruling party has not only relativised the importance of the European Union but, in some key issues, distanced itself from the EU projects, such as: common currency (Euro), climate policy, refugee crisis, or EU common defence policy. Most importantly, however, the internal developments in Poland have raised major concerns over the rule of law. That is why, the procedure under Article 7 of the TEU (“clear risk of a breach of the values referred to in Article 2 of the TEU”) was triggered against Poland, for the first time ever in the history of the EU. A number of infringement cases have also been launched against Poland before the European Court of Justice; with two judgments confirming the breach of EU’s rule of law. Consequently, Poland has lost much of its significance within the European Union. This has been accompanied by the return of prejudice regarding the big enlargement of the Union and the emergence of clearly protectionist tendencies, as manifested by the controversy over the status of posted workers, in particular highly mobile workers (drivers employed by transportation companies).

链接地址：http://dx.doi.org/10.2775/28103