Poland's president appoints new head of embattled top court

WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Polish President Andrzej Duda on Monday appointed a judge backed by the right-wing ruling party to be the new head of the Supreme Court, marking apparent victory in years of government efforts to take control of the court.

The new head, Malgorzata Manowska, 55, is also head of the state school for judges and prosecutors. She is under disciplinary investigation for keeping the school job after being appointed to the Supreme Court in 2018.

The school itself is also under criminal investigation after personal data of its employees, including judges and prosecutors, was leaked.

Manowska also served as deputy justice minister in 2007, when the Law and Justice party was previously in power.

Monday’s appointment was announced by Duda’s spokesman, Blazej Spychalski on Twitter. A formal ceremony is still pending. Manowska was selected from five candidates proposed by the court.

The previous court head, Malgorzata Gersdorf, who had resisted government pressure and efforts to make her leave early, retired last month after completing her six-year term.

Duda also appointed Judge Michal Laskowski, who served as the top court’s spokesman under Gersdorf, to head the court’s Criminal Chamber.

The government’s moves to take controls of the Supreme Court have led the European Union to threaten sanctions on the government.