The End (Does Not) Justify the Means. Ancillary Nature and Autonomy of Interim Relief in Advocate General Kokott’s Opinion in Poland c Commission
Opinion of the AG Kokott, 10 July 2025, case C-554/24 P, Poland v Commission (Annulation rétroactive de mesures provisoires)
Il fine (non) giustifica i mezzi. Accessorietà e autonomia della tutela cautelare nelle conclusioni dell’AG Kokott in Polonia c. Commissione
La fin (ne) justifie (pas) les moyens. Caractère accessoire et autonomie de la protection provisoire dans les conclusions de l’avocate générale Kokott dans l’affaire Pologne c. Commission
After outlining the case-law evolution that led to the recognition of penalty payments as atypical interim measures, the commentary examines the Opinion delivered by Advocate General Kokott in case C-554/24 P, Poland v Commission, concerning the possibility of retroactively annulling penalty payments adopted under Article 279 TFEU in the event of a case being struck from the register following a settlement between the parties. The Advocate General’s opinion warrants critical scrutiny, insofar as it emphasises the ancillary nature of interim relief vis-à-vis the main proceedings, to the detriment of its autonomy and its role in ensuring the effectiveness of EU law.
