The Polish Senate early on Wednesday, after a debate that lasted for many hours, passed an amendment to judicial laws that make it easier to choose the first president of the Supreme Court. The opposition and many experts are critical of the time, as well as the style of voting on the bill.
Under the amended rules, two-thirds of Supreme Court judges will suffice to elect the first president, while today nearly all judicial posts at the top court need to be filled to choose the court head.
Sixty senators voted for the amendment, 30 were against and one abstained.
Opposition senators and the country's ombudsman criticised the amendments as undermining the independence of Polish courts.
Deputy Justice Minister Łukasz Piebiak said the amendments "are more technical than political" and "streamline the functioning of the Supreme Court, the prosecution and ordinary courts."
A crowd of people opposing the reforms gathered near the parliament in a protest against the legislation. They were joined by opposition politicians, who made speeches criticising the ruling party's reforms of the judiciary.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 International, PAP
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: Shutterstock