Poland apex court overhaul met by wave of criticism, protests

WARSAW: Poland’s senate approved a controversial reform of the Supreme Court on Saturday, despite warnings from the European Union, appeals from Washington and massive street protests against the measure.

The legislation, which was pushed through by parliament Wednesday, was approved by 55 senators, with 23 opposed and two abstentions.

During the 15-hour debate thousands took to the streets nationwide to protest the law, which reinforces political control over the Supreme Court.

The reform of the court still needs to be signed by President Andrzej Duda, himself from the ruling conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, to become law.

The opposition and protesters are all calling on Duda to veto the reform, as well as two other measures recently adopted which they say increase the control of the executive branch of government over the judiciary.

The opposition argues the measures amount to a “coup d’etat” but the PiS says the reforms are essential to rationalise the judicial system and fight corruption.

The PiS began making judiciary changes after coming to power in 2015, arguing resistance to the initiatives is a case of the elite defending their privileges.

Under the current system, candidates for the Supreme Court are selected by an independent body consisting mainly of judges but also included a few politicians.

The European Commission has warned against the changes, threatening to halt Poland’s voting rights further down the line -a so-called “nuclear option” that the EU had never invoked.