There is hope that the Sejm will pass amendments to the Supreme Court bill next week. President Andrzej Duda would be pleased if deputies adopt the law as he proposes or deviate only slightly from it, according to Paweł Szrot, head of the president’s cabinet.
The package includes the liquidation of the Disciplinary Chamber. Solidarna Polska has raised concerns about the project. On Wednesday, the committee backed the set of amendments proposed by Solidarna Polska, including the removal of the test of a judge’s independence. The committee was to continue the meeting on Thursday, but the session was canceled. Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro stated that he was very close to a broader agreement with PiS on the future shape of the Supreme Court law.
Szrot noted that if Andrzej Duda is satisfied with the pace, the draft in the form he proposes or with minor deviations will be adopted by the Sejm. When asked if the work on changes was dragging, the minister replied that the Sejm majority faces some problems with the process.
If everything can be agreed, the president can wait. Yet the sentiment is clear: the sooner, the better, because Poland awaits the law and its consequences.
– he pointed out.
Asked about Solidarna Polska’s doubts and whether talks were underway between the Presidential Chancellery and Ziobro’s party, he replied that the Chancellery is not passive and is actively pursuing a majority and a compromise on this matter.
He reiterated optimism on this matter. Poland is waiting for this law for many reasons.
– he pointed out.
The minister expressed the hope that the law would be passed by the Sejm at its meeting next week.
I hope so.
said Szrot.
The presidential draft envisages liquidating the Supreme Court Disciplinary Chamber. Judges from that chamber would choose to move to another chamber or retire. A new chamber of professional responsibility would be created in the Supreme Court. Of all Supreme Court judges, with some exceptions, 33 would be randomly selected, and the president would appoint 11 judges to the Chamber of Professional Indemnity for a five‑year term. The draft also introduces an institution called the “test of impartiality and independence of a judge,” which guarantees every citizen the right to have a case heard by an impartial and independent court.
Friday brought news from the justice committee chair, Marek Ast (PiS), who announced plans for a committee meeting next week. He also expressed confidence that the Disciplinary Chamber would be liquidated at the next Sejm session, set for the end of May.
The push for changes to the Supreme Court Disciplinary Chamber is linked to a 2021 EU ruling that required Poland to apply certain powers of the Supreme Court Disciplinary Chamber in cases such as lifting judge immunity. Non‑compliance has led to fines from the Court of Justice of the European Union, amounting to EUR 1 million per day.
The European Commission has not yet approved the National Reconstruction Plan, which describes how funds from the EU Reconstruction Fund are to be used. In late October last year, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, conditioned approval on Poland’s obligation to liquidate the Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court.
Obligations under the KPO
EC spokeswoman Veerle Nuyts told PAP on Wednesday that Poland’s National Reconstruction Plan must include commitments to: liquidate the Supreme Court Disciplinary Chamber, reform the disciplinary system, and reinstate judges who were unlawfully dismissed. The Commission has cooperated with Poland on all three points and is satisfied with the results of the interviews, Nuyts said. Now the Commission awaits confirmation from Poland.
On Friday, government spokesman Piotr Müller stated that the KPO should be formally approved within days. On Wednesday, negotiating teams completed their work on the plan. Poland and the European Commission have reached an agreement on milestones, Müller added.
mly / PAP