“Acting” – this is how Minister of Justice Waldemar Żurek referred to the First President of the Supreme Court, the Chair of the National Council of the Judiciary, and the President of the Constitutional Tribunal during a press conference.
Minister of Justice Waldemar Żurek appeared before the media at his first press conference.
Żurek revealed what Donald Tusk said to him when offering him the ministerial post. “You are independent, your independence is well-known, but I want to see results in the justice system that will be felt by the Polish citizen,” the Prime Minister reportedly told the judge-turned-politician.
Later, the discussion turned to current issues.
There is a matter concerning the President of the District Court in Warsaw (Sąd Okręgowy w Warszawie). It’s about a situation in which a judge formally retires but wishes to continue working and would need to apply to the National Council of the Judiciary. “If the judge is healthy and experienced, they are a bonus to the system. When you watch American films, you see that the age of a judge there is very different from that of a Polish judge,” the Minister stated.
Żurek’s Offensive. Here’s What He Said About the Judges. He Also Took Personal Shots
Żurek strongly criticized the National Council of the Judiciary. “What we have is a hollow shell that doesn’t fulfill its function,” he said.
Regarding Judge Najjar, whose case was being discussed, Żurek declared that he would continue the approach initiated by Minister Bodnar – that is, the judge provides a medical certificate and… may continue to adjudicate without applying to the National Council of the Judiciary.
The Minister of Justice also expressed contempt for certain judges, though moments later, he spoke in a preacher-like tone about “the conditions for a good confession.”
“We say ‘First President of the Supreme Court’. But I would like us to get used to the term ‘acting president’ of the Supreme Court and the National Council of the Judiciary. These individuals are carrying out duties, but we have numerous rulings and doctrinal opinions indicating that they were improperly appointed. I would kindly ask you, who serve an educational role, to take this into account. I will be observing this terminology,” he said.
“We must resolve the issue of neo-judges, and we have a plan for that. We will implement this project, and I believe the neo-judges themselves will be satisfied with it,” Żurek continued. He also addressed the suspension of the wife of Constitutional Tribunal President Bogdan Święczkowski.
“I do not know the judge personally. I have learned from the media that she is the wife of the person currently serving as the President of the Constitutional Tribunal,” he stated.