Karol Nawrocki and the veto of the act on the National Council of the Judiciary. That's how he explains it
The amendment to the Act on the National Council of the Judiciary assumes the election of judicial members of the Council by all judges. The president decided to veto it.
Continued below the video:
— As the President of the Republic of Poland, I have a duty to uphold the constitution and take care of the interests of citizens. The Act on the National Council of the Judiciary does not fulfill this goal, and even contradicts it, said Karol Nawrocki in a recording posted on X.
– I cannot sign a bill that, under the slogan of “restoring the rule of law”, actually introduces a new stage of chaos and opens the way to political influence on judges – he added.
Amendment to the Act on the National Council of the Judiciary
The amendment to the Act on the National Council of the Judiciary and the related amendment to the Electoral Code was passed by the Sejm on January 23, and five days later it was adopted by the Senate without amendments.
According to the provisions of the amendment, 15 judge-members of the National Council of the Judiciary were to be elected in direct and secret elections – organized by the National Electoral Commission – by all judges in Poland, and not – as currently – by the Sejm.
Judges with at least 10 years of judicial experience and 5 years in a given court could run for the new National Council of the Judiciary, which also opened the way for some of the so-called neojudges. The change in regulations was criticized by PiS, and the government, including the Ministry of Justice, argued that it would make the National Council of the Judiciary constitutional.
The amendment to the Act on the National Council of the Judiciary and the related amendment to the Electoral Code was passed by the Sejm on January 23, and five days later it was adopted by the Senate without amendments.
See also: What's next for the National Court Register? There is an announcement by Włodzimierz Czarzasty
Judges in the National Council of the Judiciary
The procedure for submitting candidates for judicial members of the National Council of the Judiciary began on February 11 and will last until March 13. The presidents of 10 out of 11 courts of appeal in Poland declared their readiness to help in the election of the National Council of the Judiciary on Monday, proposing that the Sejm – on the basis of applicable regulations – elect 15 judges to the National Council of the Judiciary, but from among those candidates who receive the highest support in the popular vote at the judges' assemblies.
See also: The Palace has the upper hand? Judge Kozielewicz assesses Minister Żurek's project regarding the National Council of the Judiciary
Waldemar Żurek comments on the presidential veto
The head of the Ministry of Justice, Waldemar Żurek, told PAP after the presidential veto to the amendment to the act on the National Council of the Judiciary that he “will not give up in bringing about the restoration of constitutional bodies to citizens.” – We have a plan B and we will implement it – emphasized Żurek.
In his opinion, the president's veto will “deepen the chaos and prolong the proceedings that disturb Poles the most.” — Responsibility for the veto falls on the president. From tomorrow, the responsibility for delays in the courts falls on the president. He will have to stand up and tell citizens why the trials for Ziobro were extended. I will not give in to bring about the restoration of constitutional bodies to citizens. We have a plan B and we will implement it, emphasized Żurek.
