Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Justice Minister Adam Bodnar on Friday outlined a legislative proposal addressing the status of judges appointed under the previous administration and known as "neo-judges."
The proposal includes measures to potentially reverse some of these appointments.
The government says the initiative underscores its commitment to reinstating the rule of law by modifying the judiciary system, which has faced criticism for perceived overreach in recent years.
Bodnar told reporters that his justice ministry, along with the Codification Commission for the Judiciary and Prosecution, has drafted legislation to regulate the status of judges appointed under controversial laws governing the National Council of the Judiciary (KRS) enacted in December 2017 and effective from 2018.
The government's proposal categorizes the appointed judges into three groups, with different provisions for each based on their circumstances and decisions made post-2018.
The proposal also includes significant changes to the structure of the Supreme Court. Bodnar announced that two of the court's chambers, the Extraordinary Control and Public Affairs Chamber and the Chamber of Professional Responsibility, would be abolished.
The announcement followed a meeting with key judicial figures at the Prime Minister's Office in Warsaw on Friday.
The meeting highlighted a collaborative approach in reforming the judicial system, ensuring that everyday judicial practices reflect broader legislative changes, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The government further plans to introduce mechanisms for reinitiating legal proceedings where the involvement of "neo-judges" might have influenced the outcomes, ensuring citizens have the opportunity to request retrials.
These reforms aim to maintain the stability of the legal system while addressing issues raised by the appointments made under the current judiciary structure, according to officials.
This sweeping judicial reform comes ahead of presidential elections next year, with Tusk criticizing the incumbent president, Andrzej Duda, for his role in creating what the prime minister described as a "remarkable mess" in the judiciary.
The proposed changes are scheduled to take effect in August 2025, marking a significant step in Poland's ongoing efforts to restore its judicial system and uphold the principles of democratic governance, the PAP news agency reported.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP
