Polish Sejm Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty will initiate KRS election process within two days unless President signs judicial reform bill.
Czarzasty Appeals to President on KRS
During a press conference, Sejm Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty spoke about Polish court rulings being overturned due to decisions by so-called “neo-judges.” He emphasized that the KRS and judiciary issue affects every citizen, noting Poland has already paid 550 million euros in EU fines related to this matter.
Czarzasty appealed directly to President to sign the KRS reform bill, calling it a good law that guarantees citizens’ right to court and limits lengthy proceedings. As Marshal, he stated he would act within legal bounds, warning that if the president doesn’t sign the bill within two days, he will issue a notice to begin the KRS election process under current, though not ideal, regulations.
February 11 marks the deadline under current law for the Marshal of the Sejm to conduct elections to the National Council of the Judiciary.
Government Pushes for KRS Reform
Last week, government spokesman Adam Szłapka appealed to the president to sign the KRS reform bill. He pointed out that the current situation has already cost Poland over two billion zlotys in fines, paid by all citizens.
The new KRS bill prepared by the Ministry of Justice would restore the election of judge-members by judges rather than politicians, as has been the case since 2018. All judges would participate in these elections, with candidates required to have at least ten years of judicial service. Current KRS judge-members would be ineligible to run.
The State Electoral Commission would be responsible for organizing the elections under the proposed changes.
Political Exchange Over Security Questionnaire
Before the conference, a group of PiS MPs led by Rafał Bochenek approached Czarzasty, handing him a personal security questionnaire that he had not completed. They specifically mentioned concerns about his relationships with various individuals and business connections that he had never explained or had checked.
When questioned about his “unclear connections,” Czarzasty referenced a statement by Jacek Dobrzyński, press spokesman for the minister-coordinator of special services. Dobrzyński had confirmed that Czarzasty “has access to information with the highest level of confidentiality” and that “special services have no reservations in this regard.”
The Sejm marshal stated that it had been established that there was nothing inappropriate in his dealings or contacts.
