A spokesman for Poland's Law and Justice government said on Saturday that the prime minister will not publish a key ruling by the Constitutional Tribunal, despite being urged to do so by European Council watchdog the Venice Commission.

Wednesday's ruling, which rejected amendments to how the court functions – changes voted through parliament by the Law and Justice majority – is not legally binding until published by the prime minister.

“The government maintains its position that it cannnot publish a ruling of certain judges of the Constitutional Tribunal which is not based on the law,” government spokesman Rafał Bochenek argued.

Yet in extensive recommendations published on Friday afternoon, the Venice Commission concluded that “the publication of the judgment and its respect by the authorities are a precondition for finding a way out of this constitutional crisis.”

Parliamentary compromise?

However, Bochenek said that the Venice Commission's recommendations would be brought before the lower house of parliament (Sejm), suggesting that perhaps a consensus could be found.

“Parliamentarians should undertake to work together to resolve the dispute,” he said.

“It should be solved with the involvement and cooperation of all parliamentary clubs.”

The Venice Commission had concluded that “as long as the Constitutional Tribunal cannot carry out its work in an efficient manner,” Poland will remain embroiled in a constitutional crisis. (nh/pk)

Source: PAP

