Why in news?
Opposition to the recent judicial reforms has led to large scale protest against the ruling government in Poland.
What are the recent developments?
- Poland’s right-wing government, the ruling conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, has been bringing major changes to democratic institutions ever since it assumed office in 2015.
- PM led government has abolished the tribunal that adjudicates on the constitutionality of laws relating to its powers.
- It is in the process of eliminating principle of checks and balances by concentrating power in the hands of the president.
- It also introduced measures to control the media.
- It also introduced following measures to curb judicial independence.
- All judges of the Supreme Court should step down, except those whom the President chooses.
- Parliament to be given control over judicial appointments.
- These moves have created dissent among the people
- It is being opposed by President Andrzej Duda himself.
- He recently vetoed these two measures that was clearly against the rule of law.
- However, he did assent to another controversial measure which empowers the justice minister to sack the heads of lower courts.
What is the government's rationale?
- The ruling government claims that the present system created after the fall of communism in Poland in 1989 is unpopular and needs alternatives.
- Popular surveys however suggest that people are not in favour of any undemocratic alternatives.
What are the implications of these changes?
- These legislations have provoked a crisis in relations with the European Union.
- It has sparked one of the biggest political conflicts since Poland overthrew communism in 1989.
- EU is concerned about the politicisation of the courts and said that it would move to block Poland’s voting rights if it goes ahead with its plans.
Source: The Hindu
