Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek has vowed to resist efforts to reverse judicial reforms, declaring Poland will not tolerate such actions as long as he holds his posts.
Justice Minister defiant on neo-judge status
Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek addressed Karol Nawrocki, the current chairman of the Supreme Court, stating that the issue of neo-judges—those appointed by the so-called “neoKRS,” a reformed National Council of the Judiciary under the 2017 overhaul—will not be tolerated in Poland while he remains in office. He emphasized that his priority is restoring order to the judiciary through projects that align with legal norms, rejecting the idea of creating new judicial posts.
KRS reform: A “law-free” proposal under consideration
Żurek revealed that the government is exploring multiple versions of the KRS reform, including a plan to revert to the pre-2018 structure. However, he noted internal disagreements within the ruling coalition. While he acknowledged the potential of an alternative project, he refused to disclose details, insisting it would be implemented without requiring presidential approval—a move that bypasses the veto power.
Removing Ziobra-linked personnel from the prosecution
Żurek declared his intention to swiftly eliminate individuals associated with Zbigniew Ziobra, a former justice minister and general prosecutor under the PiS government. While he did not specify the methods, he affirmed compliance with legal procedures. He reiterated that President Nawrocki’s potential opposition would not hinder his efforts, as existing laws grant him exclusive authority over the process.
Direct appeal to neo-judges
During a National Council of the Judiciary meeting on August 26, Żurek confronted neo-judges, urging them to leave the judiciary building. He stated his commitment to achieving this goal through lawful methods, reflecting his broader strategy to reshape the judicial system.
Source: Gazeta, https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/7, https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/ksiaze-andrzej#anchorLink
