Poland will analyse Venice Commission report: PM Szydło

“This is a routine move by the Venice Commission, which often presents the assumptions of this draft opinion ahead of its announcement of the final opinion – which would lead to a dialogue,” PM Szydło said on Saturday during an interview with the conservative Radio Maryja and TV Trwam stations.

“I think the media leak today really shows the intentions of those who try to escalate ill feelings and do not reflect on the merits of the case, because I also would like the Constitutional Tribunal to run smoothly,” Szydło added.

The governing Law and Justice (PiS) party has implemented several changes to the civil service and judiciary since winning the 25 October 2015 general election, giving it a majority in both houses of Polish parliament.

“Democracy cannot be reduced to the rule of the majority; majority rule is limited by the Constitution and by law, primarily in order to safeguard the interests of minorities. Of course, the majority steers the country during a legislative period but it must not subdue the minority; it has an obligation to respect those who lost the last elections,” read the draft report, which was obtained by daily Gazeta Wyborcza. (rg)