EU Commission Confirms Poland’s Parliament Right to Appoint Constitutional Judges
The European Commission supports PM Donald Tusk's efforts to appoint new judges amid a heated legal battle over Poland's Constitutional Court.
POLICY WIRE — BRUSSELS, Belgium — The European Commission has formally asserted that the Polish parliament possesses the legal authority to select new members for the nation’s highest court. This statement comes amid a deepening political rift between the pro-European administration of Donald Tusk and the presidency.
The declaration serves as a significant backing for Prime Minister Tusk as his government seeks to implement a major overhaul of the Constitutional Court. Tusk aims to bring the judicial system into alignment with European standards, reversing controversial changes introduced by the previous Law and Justice government.
Tensions reached a breaking point on Friday night when physical confrontations erupted in front of the Constitutional Court building. The conflict highlights a broader struggle between Tusk’s center-right coalition and the nationalist opposition over the future of the Polish judiciary.
A spokesperson for the Commission clarified that the appointment of eight new judges falls strictly within the constitutional mandate of the Sejm, Poland’s lower house. The Commission also referenced a May 5 ruling from the European Court of Human Rights in support of its legal position.
Tusk has pledged his continued support for the tribunal despite ongoing protests and political resistance. The European Commission indicated that it is monitoring the situation closely as Polish authorities struggle to ensure the court functions according to constitutional law.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
