Topic Of The Day:-“Rolling Back: On Poland Judiciary Crisis”
Poland’s Ultra-Conservative Regime Finally Reverses The Forced Retirement Of Judges
The Polish government’s decision to rescind the forced retirement of several Supreme Court judges is a welcome sign of its willingness to improve compliance with the rule of law. This could begin a process toresolve the stand-off between Poland’s Law and Justice party (PiS) government and the European Union.The decision to reverse the contested provision in the law, introduced in July, follows the European Court of Justice (ECJ) order last month to suspend the measure. The European Commission had earlier asked the Luxembourg-based institution to freeze the retirement move, pending a final ruling on whether Poland’s judicial overhaul was at odds with the bloc’s common policies. Brussels has in parallel launched a formalprobe into Warsaw’s adherence to “fundamental European values”. Poland’s Supreme Court too had referred the contested provision to the ECJ to ascertain that there was no discrepancy between the national and European statutes. But the referral drew flak from PiS apparatchiks, who regard criticism of domestic policies by the EU as encroachment on Poland’s sovereignty. Since winning a commanding majority in 2015, the ultra-conservative government has undermined media freedoms and democratic institutions. The lower age of retirement, which in effect removed a third of the judges, was seen as part of a design to politicise the judiciary. This followed the subversion of the constitutional tribunal, which adjudicates the validity of laws. A 2018 statute that criminalises references to Nazi atrocities too drew condemnation as an assault on freedom of expression.Poland’s principal pro-European opposition party, the Civic Platform, characterises the regressive laws as part of the government’s design to pull the country out of the EU. Its improved performance in the October regional elections may well have forced the government to reconsider some of its policies. The PiS will also be keen to project a moderate face ahead of the 2019 polls to the European and Polish parliaments. Developments in Warsaw will be watched closely in the other three Visegrád countries, notably Hungary, where the government’s stridently populist stance has brought it into open confrontation with Brussels. In fact, Poland and Hungary face a legal challenge at the Luxembourg court over non-compliance with the policy to share responsibility for the treatment of Syrian migrants. A refrain from these governments has been that the institutional reforms were meant to complete the post-socialist transition. But such an explanation does not wash with civil society, judging from the opposition to the authoritarian lurch. As the biggest beneficiary of EU funds in the current budget cycle, Poland has an interest in improving its standing with an eye on future allocations. As it commemorates a century since gaining independence, it is time the country looked ahead.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) rescind
Meaning : revoke, cancel, or repeal (a law, order, or agreement).(v)
Synonyms : cancel
Antonyms : allow
Example : “the government eventually rescinded the directive”
2) resolve
Meaning : settle or find a solution to (a problem or contentious matter).(v)
Synonyms : decide
Antonyms : uncertainty
Example : “the firm aims to resolve problems within 30 days”
3) contested
Meaning : engage in competition to attain (a position of power).
Synonyms : disputed
Antonyms : opted
Example : “she declared her intention to contest the presidency”
4) freeze
Meaning : an act of holding or being held at a fixed level or in a fixed state.(n)
Synonyms : fix
Antonyms : boil
Example : “workers faced a pay freeze”
5) overhaul
Meaning : take apart (a piece of machinery or equipment) in order to examine it and repair it if necessary.
Synonyms : repair
Antonyms : break
Example : “the steering box was recently overhauled”
6) probe
Meaning : a thorough investigation into a crime or other matter.
Synonyms : examine
Antonyms : glimpse
Example : “a probe into city hall corruption”
7) adherence
Meaning : attachment or commitment to a person, cause, or belief(n).
Synonyms : attachment
Antonyms : detachment
Example : “a strict adherence to etiquette”
8) ascertain
Meaning : find (something) out for certain; make sure of(v) .
Synonyms : determine
Antonyms : disregard
Example : “an attempt to ascertain the cause of the accident”
9) discrepancy
Meaning : an illogical or surprising lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts.(n)
Synonyms : disparity
Antonyms : harmony
Example : “there’s a discrepancy between your account and his”
10) statutes
Meaning : a written law passed by a legislative body.
Synonyms : laws
Example : “the Act consolidated statutes dealing with non-fatal offences”
11) commemorates
Meaning : recall and show respect for (someone or something).
Synonyms : memorializes
Antonyms : neglects
Example : “a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the war dead”
12) encroachment
Meaning : intrusion on a person’s territory, rights, etc.(n)
Synonyms : invasion
Antonyms : cover
Example : “minor encroachments on our individual liberties”
13) sovereignty
Meaning : supreme power or authority.
Synonyms : monarchy
Antonyms : servitude
Example : “the sovereignty of Parliament”
14) criticism
Meaning : the expression of disapproval of someone or something on the basis of perceived faults or mistakes(n).
Synonyms : censure
Antonyms : blessing
Example : “he received a lot of criticism”
15) undermined
Meaning : erode the base or foundation of (a rock formation).
Synonyms : sapped
Antonyms : supported
Example : “the flow of water had undermined pillars supporting the roof”
16) subversion
Meaning : the undermining of the power and authority of an established system or institution(n).
Synonyms : sabotage
Antonyms : allegiance
Example : “the ruthless subversion of democracy”
17) adjudicates
Meaning : make a formal judgement on a disputed matter.
Synonyms : arbitrates
Antonyms : defers
Example : “the Committee adjudicates on all betting disputes”
18) atrocities
Meaning : an extremely wicked or cruel act, typically one involving physical violence or injury.
Synonyms : outrages
Antonyms : delights
Example : “a textbook which detailed war atrocities”
19) condemnation
Meaning : the expression of very strong disapproval; censure.
Synonyms : censure
Antonyms : gratitude
Example : “there was strong international condemnation of the attack”
20) regressive
Meaning : returning to a former or less developed state; characterized by regression.
Synonyms : backward
Antonyms : progressive
Example : “regressive aspects of recent local government reform”
21) lurch
Meaning : make an abrupt, unsteady, uncontrolled movement or series of movements; stagger.
Synonyms : stumble
Antonyms : retreat
Example : “the car lurched forward”
22) stridently
Meaning : in an extremely forceful way.
Synonyms : harshly
Antonyms : covertly
Example : “I stridently opposed the policies of the government”
23) stance
Meaning : the way in which someone stands, especially when deliberately adopted (as in cricket, golf, and other sports); a person’s posture.
Synonyms : posture
Antonyms : unsteadiness
Example : “she altered her stance, resting all her weight on one leg”
24) confrontation
Meaning : a hostile or argumentative situation or meeting between opposing parties(n).
Synonyms : conflict
Antonyms : calm
Example : “a confrontation with the legislature”
25) refrain
Meaning : stop oneself from doing something(v).
Synonyms : desist
Antonyms : interact
Example : “she refrained from comment”
