Poles are almost evenly divided over President Andrzej Duda’s decision to sign two contentious bills overhauling the country's judiciary, according to a new poll by Kantar Millward Brown.

Polish President Andrzej Duda announces he would sign two bills reforming the Supreme Court and the National Judiciary Council on Wednesday 20 December 2017. Photo: PAP/Paweł Supernak

Forty-four percent said they support the decision by President Duda, while 43 percent oppose it, the poll shows.

The survey’s respondents were also asked how the laws would affect the functioning of the judiciary in Poland.

Twenty-seven percent of Poles believe that it will take shorter time to hear cases as a result of the reform. Sixteen percent said the opposite, while according to 43 percent, the justice system will not become more efficient.

The survey was conducted by Kantar Millward Brown and commissioned by private broadcaster TVN24.

Poland’s President announced this Wednesday he would sign two laws overhauling the country’s judiciary.

The changes have sparked protests and international criticism, while the European Commission has launched unprecedented legal action against Poland.

(ał)