Polish President Signs Controversial Judicial Law; Many Say It Restrains Poland's Democratic Norms

Polish President Andrzej Duda signed into law yesterday a measure allowing the government to choose the next Supreme Court chief justice, despite protesters claiming it violates judicial appointments law, the Euro News website reports today (July 27, 2018).

In spite of the EU's (European Union's) opposition and legal challenge, the ruling Law and Justice party said a revamp is needed to make Poland's courts more efficient.

Since the Law and Justice party came into power in 2015, dozens of judges have been let go from the Constitutional Tribunal, the National Judiciary Council, which decides judicial appointments, and now the Supreme Court.

This month alone, 22 Supreme Court judges were forced into early retirement. Opposition MPs say the changes undermine Poland's democratic norms.