Moody's warns changes to Polish judiciary will affect outlook

According to the agency, Poland’s judicial reforms are weakening the independence of the country’s courts, checks and balances and the rule of law.

Poland's government has introduced changes to the Supreme Court, the National Council of the Judiciary, a body that nominates new judges and is tasked with safeguarding the independence of courts, and other courts which give elected officials powers to appoint and dismiss judges.

The governing Law and Justice (PiS) party has said sweeping changes are needed to reform an inefficient and sometimes corrupt judicial system tainted by the communist past, accusing judges of being an elite, self-serving clique often out of touch with the problems of ordinary citizens.

But opponents have accused Law and Justice of aiming to stack courts with its own candidates and to dismantle the rule of law. (vb)