Poland's President Duda vetoes judicial reforms after protests
Source: BBC
Polish President Andrzej Duda has announced he is vetoing a controversial law to replace Supreme Court judges with government nominees.
Three key judicial reforms have been passed by Poland's parliament, prompting days of demonstrations across the country.
Before they became law, they required approval by the president.
The changes have also set Poland's right-wing government on a collision course with the European Union.
The European Commission had threatened to impose sanctions this week if the reforms were not scrapped. European Council President Donald Tusk, a former Polish prime minister, had warned of a "black scenario that could ultimately lead to the marginalisation of Poland in Europe".
"As president I don't feel this law would strengthen a sense of justice," Mr Duda said in a statement broadcast on national television.
Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-40703909#
Candlelit protests have taken place for several nights in a row in dozens of Polish cities REUTERS
rpannier
(24,339 posts)His presence at the protests was a huge event and likely put tremendous pressure on Duda to Veto
Rhiannon12866
(206,093 posts)And I also think you're right, he has a huge following...
StevieM
(10,500 posts)I thought he was far less of a Reaganite than Havel in the Czech Republic was.
Maybe I am a little lacking when it comes to understanding politics in Eastern Europe right after the Cold War ended.
rpannier
(24,339 posts)mwooldri
(10,303 posts)Laws like this pour gasoline onto the flames of Brexit, and support the cause of EU separatists everywhere.
nikibatts
(2,198 posts)dalton99a
(81,599 posts)That was fucking outrageous
MBS
(9,688 posts)And I have no doubt that those street protests made a difference.