Reforms of the Polish judicial system have been heavily criticized for years.
The European Court of Justice pronounced another judgment on Tuesday on the controversial judicial reforms in Poland. Specifically, this time it is about the question of whether the powers of the Polish Minister of Justice violate EU law. He can, for example, delegate judges to higher courts at his own discretion and terminate this delegation at any time. It was only in October that the ECJ ordered Poland to pay a daily fine of one million euros.
The reason for this was that Poland failed to implement an earlier judgment on controversial judicial reforms. Specifically, it was particularly about the order to stop the work of the disciplinary body to punish judges. According to ECJ rulings, the activity is not compatible with EU rules on the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.
The reforms of the judiciary system initiated by Poland’s national-conservative PiS government have been heavily criticized for years. So far, however, the government in Warsaw has signaled no relenting on the crucial points.
(APA/dpa)