Polish People's Party to propose changes to Constitutional Tribunal
The head of the Polish People's Party (PSL) - Third Way (TD) parliamentary caucus, Krzysztof Paszyk, has said that on Monday or Tuesday a "comprehensive package of solutions" regarding changes to the Constitutional Tribunal will be presented.
The Constitutional Tribunal, Poland's top court, has been at the centre of disputes over the rule of law in Poland. The former Law and Justice government stands accused of politicising the court, in particular by appointing judges loyal to the party, and the new coalition government, of which the Third Way grouping is a part, has said reforming the institution is a priority.
Paszyk, speaking on public radio on Saturday morning, was asked about the announcement of changes to the Constitutional Tribunal.
He said that, in line with statements by all the leaders forming the ruling coalition, the idea was to start the "process of repairing the Constitutional Tribunal."
"First of all, in the coming week we will put on the table - to be presented on Monday and Tuesday - a comprehensive package of solutions," he said.
He explained that "it will be, first of all, a resolution of the Sejm (lower house of parliament - PAP) that will indicate the defects in the operation of the Constitutional Tribunal and which members of the Constitutional Tribunal were illegally appointed."
Paszyk also announced "going further."
"We will submit so-called horizontal laws that will regulate the functioning of the Tribunal in the future," he said. "We will also submit a draft amendment to the constitution, which, in our opinion, is necessary for the Constitutional Tribunal to return to its legal functioning." He added that this would take place "during the coming week."
He expressed hope that the resolution "opening a number of actions" would be processed in the Sejm on Wednesday.
Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, the PSL leader and the defence minister, on Sunday confirmed that the constitutional changes regarding the Constitutional Tribunal will be tabled with the Sejm this coming week.
He said "the procedure will be started this week in parliament.
"A procedure concerning an amendment to a chapter of the Constitution related to the Constitutional Tribunal will be launched," he added. (PAP)
mf/ej/jd
