Opposition MPs chanted after the vote "Shame" and "Constitution": Despite international protests, Poland's parliament passed a law that expands the possibilities for disciplining judges. The national-conservative governing party PiS was able to rely on its absolute majority in the vote.
The amendment had sparked nationwide demonstrations in Poland. The EU Commission appealed to Warsaw to stop the project. It provides that judges may face fines, demotion or dismissal if they question the decision-making powers or legality of another judge, court, or chamber. They are also not allowed to be politically active.
The PiS has restructured the judiciary in recent years. The EU Commission has already opened several infringement proceedings against the government in Warsaw because of controversial reforms and has brought suits before the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
After being passed by the Sejm, the first chamber of parliament, the law now comes into the Senate. The opposition has the majority in this second chamber. Your leaders have already announced major changes. However, the PiS with its absolute majority in the Sejm can later reject it again.
