Poland’s constitutional court on Thursday deferred for the second time its ruling on whether recent appointments of judges under new regulations are legitimate. The court debated the matter, but did not set a date for the next session.
The move comes amid restrictions in the country aimed to fight the spread of the new coronavirus, including banning mass events. On Thursday, Poland had its first death from the virus.
Poland recently approved the controversial law, which allows judges to be fired if they question the government’s judicial reforms. The country’s Supreme Court warned that the rules are forcing judges to apply the regulations even if they are “incompatible with higher legal norms”, and that the country might be forced to exit the EU.
The ruling Law and Justice party said the changes were designed to tackle corruption in the judicial system, but the European Union accused it of politicizing the judiciary.
Critics say the government politicized the recent appointments, in violation of judicial independence and of the democratic system of checks and balances. Law and Justice has been known for its EU skepticism.
Polish court again delays verdict on legality of new judges
EPA/PAWEL SUPERNAK POLAND OUT
The seats for Sejm and Government representatives are empty during the Constitutional Tribunal hearing in Warsaw, Poland, 08 March 2016. Polish Constitutional Tribunal judges started reviewing a bill amending the law on the Constitutional Tribunal passed by the Sejm (lower house) in the December 2015 by ruling party Law and Justice (PiS). The amended law has been appealed to the TK by opposition Civic Platform (PO), Polish People's Party (PSL) and Nowoczesna Party MPs, the head of the Supreme Court, the ombudsman and the National Council of the Judiciary of Poland.
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