The European Commission is to discuss whether to recommend disciplinary proceedings against Poland over its planned judicial reforms.
The commission is concerned that democracy in Poland is under threat from a raft of new laws, including how judges are appointed.
Warsaw says the reforms are needed to curb inefficiency and corruption.
Thousands of people across the country have held protests against the reforms.
The European Commission has been monitoring the situation in Poland for almost two years. Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will a lead a discussion about whether it is time to recommend the activation of the EU disciplinary process known as Article 7, which has never been used before.
It could see Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki hauled before his fellow leaders, who could insist on changes.
Morawiecki has said that the EU has taken a one-sided view and that his country is entitled to carry out reforms.
