In Vilnius, during a public appearance, President Andrzej Duda signaled openness to discussion about reforms within Poland’s legal system while drawing a firm line on a single boundary: there will be no verification of judges appointed during his eight and a half years in office. He suggested that changes could be considered to meet Brussels’ expectations, yet the exact form of scrutiny he rejected would not be tolerated or permitted under any circumstance.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda to mark the 161st anniversary of the January Uprising, Duda addressed questions raised by media reports about whether the European Commission seeks a workaround to a potential presidential veto and whether funds from the KPO program, linked to structural funds, might be redirected. He offered a clear stance, stating that such financial maneuvers would not be accepted without carefully safeguarding Poland’s interests and sovereignty in the process.
“I will not permit verification of judges appointed during my eight and a half years in office,” he stated with conviction. He explained that these judges had already undergone the complete appointment process, sworn an oath before the president, and received formal nominations. In his view, introducing verification or prosecutions for these individuals would undermine the judiciary’s integrity and expose it to undue political influence.
He argued that a faction of political-legal elites—some who hold dual roles in both politics and the judiciary—might be pursuing political revenge against them. He dismissed that notion as an unacceptable path, emphasizing that such actions must not be tolerated and would erode public trust in the courts.
“This was a purely political act,” he remarked, underlining the need to preserve judicial independence and shield it from interference. He reiterated his commitment to prevent any verification that could compromise the judiciary’s autonomy and impartiality in the long run.
While firm on that point, the president expressed openness to discussing other aspects of legal reform. He pledged to engage in dialogue about ideas raised during meetings with figures from the European Commission and with Polish leaders, including conversations with EU officials and national ministers, to explore practical and constitutional avenues for improvement.
Regarding the KPO funds, Duda voiced skepticism about the motives behind the blockage, describing it as a political move intended to influence Poland’s government. He suggested that recent events support that interpretation and stressed the importance of protecting national interests while navigating EU oversight and expectations.
The discussion took place within the broader framework of Poland’s governance and its relationship with the European Union, highlighting the delicate balance between maintaining judicial independence and pursuing reforms aligned with Brussels’ expectations. Poland’s leadership continues to navigate this intersection, seeking paths that respect constitutional principles while addressing international concerns about the rule of law and the integrity of the judiciary.
That ongoing dialogue remains central to Poland’s political discourse, as lawmakers, officials, and citizens weigh the implications of potential changes to the judiciary, funding mechanisms, and the appropriate role of external oversight in the country’s legal framework.
— End of remarks from the press briefing and accompanying commentary.
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