Polish ruling party chief speaks against 'superficial' legal changes

Jarosław Kaczyński admitted there were tensions between the government and President Andrzej Duda after the latter in late July vetoed two of three controversial government-backed bills that would have given politicians sweeping powers in appointing and dismissing court judges.

Duda then submitted his own proposals for reorganising the country's Supreme Court and the National Council of the Judiciary, which reviews and assesses candidates for judges.

Kaczyński said the ruling majority would "do everything to maintain unity," but added that this must be done "within the limits of common sense."

“We cannot and will not agree to superficial changes, especially in areas where changes are very rarely possible, and justice administration is one such area," Kaczyński told the Gazeta Polska weekly in an interview.

He also said he approved of the way the justice ministry was working.

Asked to comment on reported tensions between President Andrzej Duda and Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro over legal changes, Kaczyński said he "does not want to deal with generational disputes between 40-year-olds."

New role for president in foreign affairs?

Kaczyński also spoke in favour of restoring a model of cooperation between the president and the foreign minister whereby the president would “coordinate the country’s foreign affairs.” He said such a model was at work when he himself was prime minister from July 2006 to November 2007.

Kaczyński added there was “nothing standing in the way” to the president representing Poland at European Council meetings, “of course, after agreeing the position with the government."

“Today this is not the case, and this is probably the cause of tensions between the government and the president, while after all this problem could be easily fixed to eliminate the unnecessary emotions," Kaczyński said. (gs/pk)

Source: IAR