Despite criticism from EU, national Conservative leadership in Poland has enforced reorganisation of election of judges. The members of ruling party Law and Justice (PiS) voted in parliament to replace former members of National Judiciary Council with ir own candidates. The basis is a law adopted last year, according to which 15 judges of Justice Council are no longer elected by or judges, but by Parliament.
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The National Judicial Council is supposed to protect independence of judiciary in Poland. In addition to PiS MEPs, vote voted also parliamentarians of Populist party Kukiz ‘ 15 for candidate list of ruling party. The entire centre-left opposition boycotted vote.
The PiS government argues that it wants to combat alleged corruption in Polish judiciary with its reforms. Minister of Justice Zbigniew Ziobro said that National Judicial Council had its “roots in Communist times”. He did not do anything to “cleanse” himself and dismiss “regular murderers in robes” who would have sentenced to death in Stalin era “Polish patriots”.
Ex-Minister of Justice speaks of end of separation of powers
Critics accuse government of attacking independence of judiciary. The opposition is of opinion that Judicial Council will henceforth be controlled by politicians by means of well-judged judges. The reform meant “end of separation of powers” in Poland, said former minister of Justice Borys Budka of Liberal Civic Platform (PO).
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The EU, too, has long been in danger of independence of judicial system in Poland. For first time in history of EU, infringement proceedings under article 7 of EU treaties against Member State were initiated last year. The Polish government has promised to be ready for dialogue, but it sees itself in right.
The government in Warsaw now has time until end of March to respond to a letter from Commission with criticisms. If this is not convincing, EU Member States will probably have to decide in April wher y want to advance procedure under article 7 of EU Treaty. Hungary has already announced that it is not to carry sanctions against Poland.
