Poland ignores EU objections as court reform bill is approved

POLISH MPS have passed a bill that would give their parliament the power to appoint Supreme Court judges, ignoring objections from lawyers, opposition politicians and the European Union that it undermines democracy and the rule of law.

Yesterday’s vote came a day after the EU gave its largest ex-communist member a week to halt judicial reforms that Brussels says would put courts under direct government control.

If Warsaw does not back down, it could face punishments including a “nuclear option” that could in theory lead to the suspension of Poland’s voting rights in the bloc.

The bill submitted by the ruling Law and Justice party (PIS) was passed by parliament’s lower house after three days of debate and protests that drew together thousands of people across Poland. It will go to parliament’s upper house, where PIS also has a majority.

During the debate, Adam Bodnar, Poland’s human rights ombudsman, told parliament that the legislation, together with two other bills that will change the way judges are appointed, would “deprive citizens of the right to an independent court”.

“We are planting an explosive under our judiciary,” he said.

PIS says reforms are needed to make courts accountable and to ensure that state institutions serve all Poles, not just the “elites” it says are the support base for the opposition.

But critics say the legislation is part of a push towards authoritarianism by the government. Since being elected in 2015, PIS has tightened government control over courts and prosecutors, as well as state media, and introduced restrictions on public gatherings.