Polish senators approve legal changes amid protests

The opposition warned that the Senate’s decision, which followed a stormy debate in both houses of parliament, undermined judicial independence and accused Poland’s ruling conservatives of trying to stack courts with its own candidates.

But the governing Law and Justice (PiS) party has said sweeping changes are needed to reform an inefficient and sometimes corrupt judicial system.

Opposition senators began to shout “Free courts!” after the legislation passed in a 55-23 vote with two abstentions in the upper house at 1:57am on Saturday after a turbulent, more than 15-hour debate.

Senate Speaker Stanisław Karczewski of PiS said that changes in Poland’s judiciary, including the country’s Supreme Court, were “headed in the right direction”. He told reporters that the reforms were designed to benefit citizens.

He also said he hoped President Andrzej Duda would quickly sign the newly approved reform into law.

If the new regulations come into law, they will force all of the Supreme Court’s judges into retirement and give the president powers to choose who to reinstate.

PiS supporters have criticised Polish courts for taking too long to hear cases, and have accused judges of being an elite, self-serving clique often out of touch with the problems of ordinary citizens.

Last week Poland's parliament passed two other government-backed bills which would allow the justice minister to appoint judges to the country’s district and appeals courts, and a 60 percent parliamentary majority to nominate judges to an influential judicial ethics supervisory council.

Warning from EU

The European Commission on Wednesday said it was ready to take action against Poland for violating EU laws, warning that the controversial overhaul of the country's judicial system threatens the independence of courts.

The commission also urged the Polish government to put its new laws on hold.

The commission's move was the latest in a series of clashes between Brussels and Warsaw. Poland is already embroiled in a row with the EU over sweeping changes to the country’s Constitutional Tribunal and concerns about the rule of law.

Thousands have taken took to the streets in opposition to the proposed judicial changes in Poland, accusing Law and Justice of aiming to stack courts with its own candidates and to dismantle the rule of law. PiS denies such accusations.

(str/pk)

Source: PAP