European Union countries have the right to shape their courts according to the own traditions, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told the European Parliament on Wednesday.
He was speaking after another of his government's sweeping changes to the judiciary entered into force in Poland on Tuesday, triggering fresh street protests over the overhaul criticised by the EU for undercutting the courts' independence and hence the rule of law.
"We're doing exactly the same thing that many other coutries had done before. Nothing else," said Morawiecki in Strasburg, commenting the changes to retirement age of judges.
Polish PM was answering questions during a debate in the Euroepan Parliament devoted to the future of the EU.
"You have all kindly mentioned the retirement age changes. Do you know that in 1998, the European Court of Human Rights having its seat few hundred meters from here, has introduced exactly the same regulation for early retirement of judges, as the one we're implementing today," said Morawiecki.
"Back then, that regulation has been fully approved," added Polish PM.
Back at work
Polish judge Małgorzata Gersdorf walked into the Supreme Court building on Wednesday morning, defying new legislation forcing her to retire as court president and putting the judiciary on a collision course with the government.
Hundreds of 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."
The legislation is at the centre of mounting conflict between Warsaw's ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) and the European Union, which accuses the government of trying to control the judiciary and subvert democratic standards.
Under the new rules, which came into effect at midnight, up to a third of Supreme Court judges including 65-year-old Gersdorf could be forced to retire unless they are granted an extension by President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally.
The nationalist ruling party argues its legal overhaul is needed to shake up a judicial system it says it steeped in communist-era thinking and power structures.
But Gersdorf, who has been the president of the Supreme Court since 2014, has said she believes the legislation is unconstitutional and cannot be implemented.
After addressing the crowd, she entered the building in central Warsaw. Court officials said she went into a meeting with other judges and would address the media at 12.30 p.m. (1030 GMT).
Pro-democracy protesters who massed outside the court on Tuesday waving EU and Polish flags said they would stage more rallies across the country on Wednesday.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24, Reuters, PAP