Tusk sends letter to Duda on the judiciary system overhaul

The European Council President and former PM Donald Tusk sent a letter to President Andrzej Duda, asking him “for an urgent meeting to discuss the dangerous consequences for Poland’s standing on the world stage.” The request for the meeting was denied by the president’s office saying that “the reforms to Polish legal system are not a matter for the European Council.” “Bringing judges under the control of the governing party in the manner proposed by the Law and Justice Party (PiS) ruins an already tarnished public opinion of Polish democracy. We must, therefore, find a solution which is acceptable to the Polish public, to the parliamentary majority and to the opposition, to the President and to the European Union. I know that is no easy feat. It will require concessions, mutual respect, and a little trust. It is not easy, but it can be done. But we do not have much time,” Tusk said. The law on Supreme Court, which calls for the retirement of all Supreme Court judges and new appointments to be made by the justice minister, is expected to be passed by Sejm on Friday. The opposition is demanding that Duda vetoes the bill. Dozens of thousands of protesters have been taking to the streets in the last few days to protest the reforms. Earlier this week, European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans said that the Commission is “very close” to triggering the EU’s Article 7 procedure against Poland — a move that can lead to the suspension of a member country’s voting rights.