Andrzej Duda
The President of Poland Andrzej Duda promised to veto two bills about the Supreme court, which caused protests in the country, reports The Financial Times.
“I regret that, as President, I was not familiar with this initiative before it began to be seen in the Sejm (lower house of Parliament — approx. “Of the tape.ru”) of the country”, — said the Polish leader. He also noted that on this occasion held talks with lawyers, judges and politicians.
Currently considering Duda are three bills that could change the work of the judiciary in the country.
Under the first two documents, the Parliament, the majority of which belongs to the ruling party, will have the opportunity to choose 15 of the 25 members of the National judicial Council. It is the body responsible for the appointment of judges and ensure the independence of justice. Another bill proposes strengthening the powers of the Polish Minister of justice. In particular, he will be able to assign most chief justices of the country and at any time to remove them from office.
Duda has proposed several amendments to the bill some limitation of the powers of the head of the Ministry of justice. However, the opposition continues to believe the changes are minor and contrary to the principle of separation of powers. According to the publication, about the changes in the third document allowing the Minister to appoint judges of the lower courts, the President did not say a word.
The European Commission in the case of the initial versions of the law threatened to deprive Warsaw of voting rights in the EU Council. The draft judicial reform has caused mass protests in the country. The largest demonstration was held in the Polish capital and has collected tens of thousands of people.