Justice minister denies 'Polexit' attempt

Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro said he wants Poland's Constitutional Tribunal to examine if lower Polish courts can ask the Court of Justice of the European Union for guidance on issues not covered by European laws.

Ziobro's move, days before local and municipal elections, sparked claims from the opposition that Poland was preparing ground to exit the bloc.

"It is not true that my request was an attempt to have Poland leave the European Union," Ziobro said on Wednesday.

"It is also untrue that Poland wants to challenge the authority of the Court of Justice of the European Union, and insinuations that the Polish government wants to opt out of the treaty of the European Union are also untrue," he added.

Ziobro's comments come after top Polish justices in summer asked the Court of Justice of the European Union whether Polish Supreme Court reforms broke the bloc's anti-discrimination rules.

The reform saw the retirement age for judges set at 65, forcing a handful of justices, including the head of the Supreme Court, into early retirement.

Meanwhile, the head of the ruling conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, Jarosław Kaczyński, said the application of the Polish constitution, and how it was affected by European Union regulations, needed to be made clear.

Kaczyński also denied plans to leave the bloc. (vb/pk)

Source: PAP