ADVERTISEMENT

Thousands of Poles protest new court reforms

Carrying red-and-white Polish flags and copies of the constitution, demonstrators in Warsaw gathered in front of the presidential palace calling for "Free courts, free elections, free Poland."

"These laws will put an end to democracy in Poland. They're moving us towards a dictatorship where power will be concentrated in one place," one of the protest organisers, Michal Wawrykiewicz, told AFP.

Earlier this week parliament began to debate new versions of the reforms of the Supreme Court and the National Council of the Judiciary that in July sparked massive street protests, concern from the US State Department and threats of EU sanctions.

Polish President Andrzej Duda surprised the country by vetoing the measures at the time, as he is a close ally of the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party that pushed the legislation.

ADVERTISEMENT

Saying that the legislation gave too large of a role to the attorney general, who in Poland is also the justice minister, Duda vowed to table his own versions -- which parliament began debating this week.

Opposition lawmakers expressed their disappointment in the president, with Barbara Dolniak from the Nowoczesna party saying on Wednesday that the legislation "continues to go against the constitution".

Since tabling his versions, Duda also promised PiS party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski to add certain amendments, the contents of which remain secret.

The PiS, which began making changes to the judiciary after coming to power in late 2015, says the reforms are indispensable to combat corruption and streamline the judicial system.

The PiS also proposed a legislative reform to the electoral law this week that it says will reduce fraud, while the opposition has countered that it will instead lead to irregularities at the polls.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT