The controversial disciplinary system that Poland’s judges use to discipline them was scrapped by the parliament of Poland on Thursday. This is in direct conflict with the European Union, which has criticised reforms it claims hinder judicial independence.
Brussels has made it a condition for the disbursement of funds from the European Recovery Plan to Warsaw, which amounts to around 35 billion Euros.
In the hope of ending the conflict with Brussels, Andrzej Duba, the Polish president, had suggested that this system be scrapped. The Senate still has to approve this removal.
This does not address concerns regarding the politicization and abuse of the judiciary system, according to the centrist opposition and the judges’ organisations.
Barbara Dolniak (opposition MP) stated that this “doesn’t meet the conditions of European Commission” and called the removal of the controversial system “deception”.
The ruling conservatives received most of the votes for abolishing the disciplinary chamber.
Brussels blocked the Polish recovery plan with a value of approximately 35 billion euros. This was due to conflicts regarding the state of Polish justice, including the existence of the Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court. Brussels accused this body of undermining the independence of the judges.
On May 23, the controversial Disciplinary Chamber lifted the suspension of the first six judges who were being prosecuted because they criticised the justice reforms implemented by the nationalist power.
Their suspension must be lifted in order for funds to be disbursed from the European Recovery Plan to Warsaw. The EU also requires the reform of the disciplinary system as well as the liquidation and closure of the Disciplinary Chamber. These conditions are not recognized by European courts. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, is scheduled to arrive in Poland next week.
