Polish judge stands up to Government

WARSAW: Polish judge Malgorzata Gersdorf walked into the Supreme Court building yesterday, defying new legislation forcing her to retire as court president and putting the judiciary on a collision course with the Government.

Supporters chanting ‘‘constitution’’ and singing the Polish national anthem surrounded her at the entrance as she told reporters: ‘‘My presence here is not about politics, I am here to protect the rule of law.’’

She is at the centre of mounting conflict between Warsaw’s ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) and the European Union, which accuses Poland of trying to gain political control of the judiciary and of subverting basic democratic standards.

Under the new rules, which came into effect yesterday, up to a third of Supreme Court judges, including 65yearold Gersdorf, could be forced to retire unless they are granted an extension by President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally.

Gersdorf believes the legislation is unconstitutional and cannot be implemented. Opponents of the reforms planned demonstrations today.

Through legislation and personnel changes, PiS has already taken de facto control of much of the judicial system since coming into power in 2015, including the constitutional tribunal and prosecutors, who now report directly to the justice minister.

The party argues this is needed to address ineffectiveness in a system steeped in communistera mentality. — Reuters