I have serious concerns whether it should be a part of Polish legal system; I don't think it's necessary to limit access to the European Parliament in such a fundamental way; I strongly lean towards blocking this project," said President Andrzej Duda in an interview for "Dziennik Gazeta Prawna" (DGP). President was referring to the amendment to the European election law recently passed by the Polish parliament.
On July 27, the Senate passed in full an amendment to the Electoral Code changing the rules of European elections. According to the changes, each constituency will have at least 3 candidates for MEPs assigned to it.
The President reminded in an interview for "Dziennik Gazeta Prawna" that he has 21 days to analyse the bill.
"The Law and Legal System Office in my Chancellery is preparing such analysis, but I'm also examining the bill and the history of its passing. Frankly speaking, I have serious concerns whether it should be a part of Polish legal system. I don't think it's necessary to limit access to the European Parliament in such a fundamental way," said the President.
He emphasised that "everyone agrees" that the new law would raise the electoral threshold to at least 11 or 12 percent. "In practice, such solution eliminates smaller parties. Some parts of Polish society will feel devoid of represenatation in the European Parliament. I question this approach from a democratic standpoint, 5-percent threshold is a reasonable solution," said Andrzej Duda.
The President also said that he finds it unnecessary to "force a bipartisan system". "I don't find it necessary to force electoral coalitions on the rules dictated by the largest parties. I strongly lean towards blocking this project," said President Duda.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 International, PAP
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: Krzysztof Sitkowski/KPRP