WORLD
Polish President vows to veto 2 of 3 contested judicial reform bills
Baku, July 24, AZERTAC
Polish President Andrzej Duda will veto two of the three bills on judicial reform as put to him by the Polish Parliament which have led to a week of protest, according to Polish Press Agency (PAP).
President Duda will veto a bill redefining procedures and nominations to the National Judicial Council (KRS) as well as a bill similarly managing the Supreme Court. Duda made no reference to the third bill reforming the judiciary, namely the bill on common courts.
"I decided that I will return to the lower house, that is I will veto the bill on supreme court as well as [the bill] on KRS because the lower house made these bills related with each other," Duda said.
While he is "an absolute proponent of the reform," it should be a "wise reform" which will "guarantee the sense of justice."
Duda justified his decision on the need to keep operational and personnel control over the courts separate from the Justice Ministry which, under law amended by the current government, also acts as chief prosecutor.
"There is no tradition in Poland that the prosecutor general could interfere in any way into works of the Supreme Court," he stressed.
The President expressed regret the bill on supreme court had not been consulted with him or with other stakeholders.
Duda also called on the ruling majority and the opposition for "calm and reason."