The decision by the Polish court on Wednesday followed an order by the top E.U. court, the European Court of Justice, to suspend a disciplinary “chamber” that critics say has been used by the ruling Law and Justice party to intimidate judges not to its liking. Poland’s top court said that the European court, which is based in Luxembourg, did not have the power to impose such orders under Poland’s Constitution. On Thursday, the European Court of Justice said that the system of overseeing and disciplining judges in Poland, set up by the ruling party, was not compatible with E.U. ruling, the European Commission, the bloc’s executive, can ask the court to impose daily fines.

Source: International New York Times July 15, 2021 15:56 UTC