Patrycja Pobideł, Mariusz Ulman: Restoring the Rule of Law? Rather a Ball on the Titanic
The article discusses the shocking discovery made by former spouses in a property division case that they are still legally married due to a ruling made by a neo-judge.
Recent news in Poland has revealed alarming instances regarding the judicial system, particularly concerning divorces and the legitimacy of rulings made by neo-judges. In a particular case, ex-spouses discovered they were still married because their divorce decree was issued by an appointed neo-judge, leading to wider ramifications for thousands of individuals who believed they were long divorced. This incident reflects deeper issues within the Polish judiciary, especially considering recent statistics showing that the Supreme Court annulled 120 decisions due to the involvement of neo-judges, rather than substantive errors in those rulings.
The developments sparked much discussion in the European press, highlighting the controversies surrounding the Polish judicial reforms initiated by the current government. The article references a piece in Politico that further discusses the implications of these judicial appointments and the continued erosion of the rule of law in the country. In this context, questions are raised about the legality of actions taken against disciplinary spokespersons of ordinary court judges, with recent Supreme Court findings indicating that the removals were unlawful.
The article serves as a critical reflection on the state of the judiciary in Poland, suggesting that the ongoing situation can be likened to a 'ball on the Titanic.' This metaphor implies that while there may be superficial appearances of normalcy and organized legal proceedings, the underlying structure is perilously compromised. The ongoing debates and legal uncertainties surrounding recounts and rulings from neo-judges contribute to a growing crisis regarding citizens' trust in the legal system, ultimately questioning the very foundation of democracy and justice in Poland.