Protests continued in several Polish cities, despite President Duda’s announcement that he would veto two out of three controversial judicial reform bills.<br /><br />They included plans to replace Supreme Court judges with government nominees. <br /><br />The decision to veto the reforms came as a surprise but some protesters cautiously welcomed it.<br /><br />Protester, Pawel Ceninski, said: “In my opinion the president did very well. You can see that slowly, at least that’s my feeling, he is gaining autonomy, independence from (Law and Justice) chairman Kaczynski.” <br /><br />Speaking to reporters, President Andrzej Duda said he regretted that he had not had chance to see the proposed law before the lower house of parliament voted on it. <br /><br />He said he believes the judiciary still needs reforming but that the government’s plans were not it line with the constitution.<br /><br />The reforms were already passed by Poland’s parliament last week, raising concerns in the E.U. and U.S. about the politicisation of the courts.<br /><br />But before becoming law they require approval by the president. The ruling party could challenge the veto but is unlikely to be successful. <br /><br />Protesters are now pressing for the president to veto the third reform as well.<br />
