"I have made it clear what I consider the red lines for any amendments to the bills on the National Council of the Judiciary and the Supreme Court. I have said that I would not permit a return to the solutions I rejected in July," President Andrzej Duda said during his visit in Vietnam. During a press conference, he commented on amendments introduced by Law and Justice (PiS) to his bills on the National Council of the Judiciary (KRS) and the Supreme Court (SN).
The President stressed that he had the right of legislative initiative and that he used it, in keeping with the promise he made in July. “I am not surprised that MPs want to amend the bills. It is their right and the president cannot in any way restrict MPs' right to propose amendments,” he said.
“I have made it clear what I consider the limits of acceptable changes in these bills. I have said that I would not permit a return to the solutions that I rejected in July. This is my red line,” stressed the President during a press conference held on Thursday in Vietnam.
He also expressed hope that the amendments would not cross the red line, so that he would be able to sign the bill. “If these red lines are crossed, then, unfortunately, as president, I will not be able to give my permission,” he added.
Duda was asked during his visit to Vietnam, whether he was planning to meet PiS chairman to discuss the parliament's work on the KRS and SN bills.
“I hope that there will be no urgent need to arrange a special meeting on this matter, but I want to stress very strongly that, firstly, the debate is under way; and secondly, that some time ago both chairman Jarosław Kaczyński and I appointed our representatives to discuss these issues, and such discussions have taken place and indeed are taking place on a current basis,” stressed the President.
As he pointed out, “a normal parliamentary debate, natural in a democracy,” is under way.
“Just as contacts between the president and the head of the largest party, one with a majority in parliament, are natural,” he added. “I am sure there will be many meetings between chairman Jarosław Kaczyński and myself, because this is something natural, and necessary to manage affairs of the state well,” he stressed.
“No detailed plans have been made for a meeting at this time, but we have an arrangements that if such a meeting is needed, we will have it as promptly as possible. If there is such a need,” said the President.
On Thursday, the parliamentary committee on justice and human rights resumed its work on the presidential draft law on the Supreme Court. So far, 85 out of 132 articles have been discussed and several amendments proposed by PiS have been adopted.
On Wednesday, PiS MPs proposed 35 amendments to the bill. These amendments enlarge the autonomy of the Disciplinary Chamber, to be added to the Supreme Court.
On Tuesday, the parliamentary committee on justice voted to adopt President Andrzej Duda's bill on the National Council of the Judiciary, with all seven amendments tabled by PiS.
Źródło: tvn24.pl/tłumaczenie Intertext.com.pl