Polish law on judges violates EU treaty, says ECJ adviser

Opinion by top lawyer marks latest clash between 27-member bloc and Poland’s ruling nationalist coalition.

A Polish law that allows the justice minister to second judges to higher courts and end that secondment at any moment is incompatible with European Union treaties, according to an adviser to a top EU court. Advocate General Michal Bobek’s assessment on Thursday marks another blow to the eurosceptic ruling coalition in Poland, headed by the Law and Justice (PiS) party, which has been at odds with the EU over its judiciary measures since it took power in 2015. The Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice (ECJ) usually, though not always, follows opinions issued by its advocates general in its rulings.