Poland: Two of three judicial reform bills to be vetoed

Legislation proposed by the governing Law and Justice Party (PiS) would have forced the resignation of all Supreme Court judges, and given Parliament control over their replacements.

However, Mr Duda has agreed to sign a third bill granting the Government the power to appoint the heads of the common courts.

Gauri Van Gulik, deputy Europe director at Amnesty International, said: “With this decision President Duda has pulled Poland back from the brink of all-out assault on the rule of law.

“These reforms would have brought the justice system fully under the heel of the government, removing judicial independence and jeopardising fair trial rights in Poland.”

Mr Van Gulik said that he still has “deep concerns … about the independence of Poland’s judiciary”, especially while hundreds of protesters face prosecution for standing up for the rule of law.

He added: “Until the third bill is vetoed, their right to fair trials will be in jeopardy.”