Polish president signs controversial court reform into law despite protests; EU and UN expressed concerns

Poland President Andrzej Duda signed into law a controversial bill reforming the country's constitutional court on Monday. The critics say that this amendment will erode checks and balances in government powers, which then paralyzes the highest judicial body.

Andrzej Duda promulgated such controversial bill, despite widespread protests and mounting alarm in the international community. Oppositions say that it will threaten the court's independence.

Poland's constitutional crisis began when the conservative nationalist Law and Justice part, the victor of October's parliamentary elections, appointed five judges to the 15-member court.

The new law states that the court must approve rulings by a two-thirds majority rather than simple majority. Duda signed the bill into law four days after it was adopted by parliament.

According to the Law and Justice lawmakers, the amendment was said to be needed to clear up legal confusion after the constitutional court ruled earlier this month that a different amendment passed by the former parliament partially violated the constitution. The new amendment will also improve the reputation of the constitutional court, and rulings by an increased majority will have a stronger legal standing.

"It's hard for me to understand the situation we've had until now, in which de facto three judges could rule on the legal fate of legislation passed by the parliament elected by the people," said President Duda in a news conference.

Several thousands of people have taken to the streets of Warsaw in mid-December over changes made by the governing conservative Law and Justice Party (PiS). Meanwhile, the eastern European powerhouse has been drawn into a political crisis as well, since PiS won an election in October after almost a decade in opposition.

A spokesman from European Commission, Chief Jean-Claude Juncker told AFP in Brussels that the commission is following the constitutional changes in Poland with concern. Meanwhile, the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has likewise expressed 'concern' about the mentioned reforms.

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Andrzej Duda, Poland, Europe, United Nations, warsaw protests, Law and Justice Party, european commision, controversial law, Poland Government

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