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Poland sets up task force 'to restore rule of law'

14.12.2023 08:00
Poland's new government has established an inter-agency task force to "restore the rule of law and constitutional order" in the country, officials have said. 
Polands new Justice Minister Adam Bodnar speaks to reporters in Warsaw on December 13, 2023.
Poland's new Justice Minister Adam Bodnar speaks to reporters in Warsaw on December 13, 2023. PAP/Szymon Pulcyn

Justice Minister Adam Bodnar announced the move at a news conference on Wednesday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

Poland's new Cabinetled by Donald Tusk, was sworn into office earlier in the day, ending eight years of rule by the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party.

Bodnar, a former ombudsman, told reporters that the prime minister "has established an inter-agency task force to restore the rule of law and constitutional order."

The team will propose measures to help restore the rule of law and constitutionality in Poland, officials told reporters.

The task force will be led by the justice minister and include officials from several other government departments, including the foreign ministry and the ministry for European Union affairs, public broadcaster Polish Radio's IAR news agency reported.

Bodnar also announced he had launched the procedure for Poland's accession to the EU's European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO). 

The justice minister added it was "an important step when it comes to EU funds" allocated to Poland.

Bodnar said the government would also "work to decouple the posts of justice minister and prosecutor-general," the PAP news agency reported.

Tusk on Wednesday said that by Friday the EU could unblock the first billions of euros in funding for Poland, frozen due to concerns over the rule of law.

President Andrzej Duda swore in the new Polish government during a high-profile ceremony in the presidential palace on Wednesday morning.

The swearing-in ceremony came after parliament gave its vote of confidence to Tusk and his team of ministers on Tuesday night.

The new government was formed after a bloc of parties led by Tusk's liberal Civic Coalition (KO) stormed to power with a strong showing in Poland's October 15 parliamentary elections.

(pm/gs)

Source: IAR, PAP