The deputy head of the Ministry of Justice about Wrzosek's words: the hair on my head stood on end

Prosecutor Ewa Wrzosek announced on Wednesday that “by the decision of the Minister of Justice, Prosecutor General Adam Bodnar was today dismissed from the delegation to the Ministry of Justice and the National Council of Prosecutors attached to the Prosecutor General.” The spokeswoman for the Prosecutor General, Anna Adamiak, informed tvn24.pl that Wrzosek herself submitted a request for dismissal from her delegation to the ministry. The minister agreed to it and at the same time – Adamiak reported – decided to dismiss Wrzosek from the Council to which she was appointed by him.

Deputy Minister of Justice Zuzanna Rudzińska-Bluszcz spoke in “Fakty po Faktach” on TVN24 about this case. – As far as I know, prosecutor Ewa Wrzosek resigned today and this resignation was accepted by the minister Adam Bodnar. The prosecutor's delegation to the Ministry of Justice has been withdrawn, she said.

Rudzińska-Bluszcz was also asked whether the dismissal from the delegation was due to Wrzosek's recent statements. On Tuesday, the prosecutor said on TVP Info that: Roman Giertych he would be a better justice minister. She also said that she was disappointed with the pace of settlements by the previous government. At the same time, she argued that Bodnar is a good minister, but not for current times. – This is not the time to strictly stick to the letter of the law – said Wrzosek.

Rudzińska-Bluszcz denied that the decision on the delegation was caused by Wrzosek's statements in the media. – No, but since the editor has already asked this question, let me comment on it. It is surprising to me that the prosecutor, who was on a delegation at the ministry for about a month – nothing changed during that month – spoke so critically about our actions in the ministry – said Rudzińska-Bluszcz.

– As far as I know, she did not raise these doubts either in a conversation with Minister Adam Bodnar or on the forum of the National Council of Prosecutors – she noted.

– But for me, even more disturbing than the comparison to Minister Giertych was the statement that these are not the times to stick strictly to the letter of the law. The hair on my head stood on end, admitted the deputy head of the Ministry of Justice.

– Who should verify what times these are? This is the path to anarchy, this is the path to further violation of the rule of law. In my opinion, Adam Bodnar is the best minister of justice for these times, because he does not choose shortcuts, because we can trust that he will build step by step and strengthen law-abiding democracy – she added.

Rudzińska-Bluszcz also commented on Wednesday's decision of the Chamber of Extraordinary Control and Public Affairs of the Supreme Court, which accepted PiS's complaint against the decision of the National Electoral Commission on the rejection of the report of this party's election committee for the 2023 elections. This Chamber is questioned by part of the legal community and European tribunals, including in December 2023 Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that The Chamber of Extraordinary Control and Public Affairs “is not an independent and impartial court”. – This decision of the Chamber did not surprise me at all – she admitted. In her opinion, “this decision of the Chamber of Extraordinary Control confirmed the judgment of December 21, 2023 of the Court of Justice of the European Union.” – What is the problem? The judges sitting there do not meet the standards of independence, as they were appointed in an improper procedure, i.e. by the National Council of the Judiciary after 2018, she pointed out.

When asked what the Minister of Finance, who will have to decide whether to pay subsidies to PiS, should do in connection with the Supreme Court's decision, the deputy minister replied: – Please contact the Minister of Finance. We will certainly discuss it in the privacy of our offices.

Rudzińska-Bluszcz noticed that too European Court of Human Rights stated that the action of the Chamber “is not an exercise of the right to a court”. – Because the Chamber of Extraordinary Control adjudicates people who were not properly appointed as judges – she noted. When asked if their decisions were not judgments, she replied that “it is not that simple.” – We have a bigger problem because the Chamber of Extraordinary Control and Public Affairs also approves the validity of the elections – she noted. – And as Minister Adam Bodnar pointed out, perhaps it is time for a broader consensus, for a technical law, in the light of the upcoming presidential elections – she added.

She also talked about the case PiS MP Marcin Romanowski, whom the prosecutor's office accuses of committing 11 crimes. Officers are working to determine his whereaboutsto implement the provisional arrest decision issued by the court on Monday.

When asked about the behavior of the former deputy minister, whom the police still have not located, the deputy minister said that “there are provisions for this in the Penal Code.” – This is hiding and obstructing the implementation of the decision of the District Court for Warsaw-Mokotów in Warsaw, which decided to temporarily arrest Minister Romanowski – she explained.

– The court decided to temporarily arrest the minister and the minister should comply – she added. She also said that he “should report himself”. – This decision is enforceable immediately and should be implemented – she noted.

She also pointed out that “those persons approached by the police are also obliged to implement this decision (of the court – ed.), i.e. provide the police with information regarding the whereabouts of the person who should be temporarily arrested.”