Zbignie Ziobro: Solidarna Polska calls on President Andrzej Duda to veto the amendment to the law on the Supreme Court

Amendment to the law on the Supreme Court, the draft of which they submitted PiS deputiesis to complete a key “milestone” for the European Commission to unlock money for National Reconstruction Plan. Among other things, it stipulates that disciplinary and immunity cases of judges are to be resolved The Supreme Administrative Court, and not – as at present – the Chamber of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court. The amendment also provides for fundamental changes regarding the so-called test of independence and impartiality of the judge.

On Wednesday The Sejm rejected all 14 Senate amendments to this amendment, which transformed its essential provisions. The amendment will now go to the president.

– The policy of concessions to the European Union carried out over the last few years has always brought bad fruit, it has always led to the escalation of demands and escalation of blackmail – he said Zbigniew Ziobro during a press conference.

– Regardless of whether, as a result of the adoption of this amendment, this money would be paid or would not be paid, the logic of blackmail must always lead to bad consequences, because let us remember that European Commission has the ability to apply other sanctions and use further tools to blackmail Poland, resulting, for example, from the regulation on conditionality – said Ziobro. Therefore, he added, in order to “reject the logic of blackmail, to reject the policy of submission, the president’s veto is necessary.” – And Solidarna Polska calls on the president to veto this, showing the consistency of the dispute with the European Commission over the years. The Polish state should itself decide on the functioning and organization of the judiciary. This results directly from the constitution and treaties, said Ziobro.

When asked about the possibility of the president referring the amendment to the Constitutional Tribunal, Ziobro replied that “Solidarity Poland’s appeal is clear” and “the president’s veto is the best solution.” – On the other hand, referring the bill to the Constitutional Tribunal before signing it is also a solution for consideration – assessed the minister.

Earlier, on Wednesday, before the Sejm rejected the Senate amendments, Zobro turned to the prime minister for him to “decide to stop” work on the novel.

According to the Deputy Minister of Justice, Marcin Warchoł, this amendment will lead to the fact that “a group of judges, at the request of the opposition, will decide who is a judge in Poland”. – This will lead to the anarchy of the Polish judiciary, introduce disorganization and undermine the prerogatives of the president. It will allow the status of one judge to be questioned by another, he assessed. In his opinion, this will de facto “a threat to 10 million cases that will go on indefinitely and will be suspended.”

Government spokesman Piotr Muelller said on Wednesday that the decision to sign the amendment “is already the competence of the president”, but in the near future there will probably be talks with the president about the amendment to the law on the Supreme Court. – We will, of course, show the entire context related to this act, with the funds from the KPO, with the geopolitical context – informed the government spokesman.

The president may sign the bill, veto it or refer it to the Constitutional Tribunal. From the moment the bill is presented to him, the president has 21 days to make a decision.