WARSAW, Poland — Poland's right-wing governing party on Friday defended its heavily-criticized plans to impose new restrictions on judges, saying it wants to "discipline" a “caste” of judges that has become too engaged in politics. Critics say the draft legislation marks a repressive step that flouts the European Union and its values. The proposed law introduced in the Polish parliament late Thursday is the latest move in the four-year effort by the populist Law and Justice party to gain control of the country's judiciary. It would allow disciplinary measures against judges who criticize the Law and Justice government's judicial overhaul. One provision would make judges eligible for dismissal if they attempt to scrutinize the credentials of a fellow jurist, in line with a ruling by the European Court of Justice.

Source: International New York Times December 13, 2019 11:56 UTC