Contentious Judicial Reform: Poland’s President Blocks Legislation

Poland's president has asked the Constitutional Tribunal to decide on the constitutionality of a judicial reform proposed by the government. The reform aims to alter the National Council of the Judiciary's appointment process. This decision has intensified the ongoing conflict between President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Poland's president requested on Friday that the Constitutional Tribunal evaluate whether the proposed reform of the judiciary's appointment process is constitutional. The legislation, according to the government, is essential for restoring the rule of law.

Since December, Prime Minister Donald Tusk's pro-European coalition has been embroiled in conflict with President Andrzej Duda over various bills designed to reverse judicial reforms implemented by the previous nationalist administration, which critics say compromised judicial independence.

The proposed reform, if enacted, would entail the election of 15 members of the National Council of the Judiciary by judges, instead of parliament, reversing changes made in 2017 by the previous Law and Justice (PiS) government.

(With inputs from agencies.)