We talk about justice, and especially the independence of justice in Accents d’Europe today. The case is at the heart of the dispute between Warsaw and Brussels… but the bringing to heel of the judges does not only concern the European Union, it is also the subject of multiple tensions in Ukraine and Turkey.
Direction therefore Warsaw, where the conservative populist government is in the crosshairs for its judicial reform. Particularly criticized is the creation of a disciplinary chamber which penalizes the least docile judges in the face of power, and which therefore undermines the independence of justice. In order for Poland to respect the rule of law, a whole series of sanctions and financial penalties have therefore been deployed by the European Court of Justice… In Warsaw, Sarah Bakaloglou.
Ukraine’s long fight against corruption
Ukraine is in the headlines for the situation on its border. But the question of corruption and the independence of justice are also indeed one of the priorities of the government of Volodymir Zelensky. But the road is long, and the courts are still largely under influence… when they are not corrupt. This is the report in Kiev of Stephane Siohan.
In Turkey, a justice almost entirely under orders
And in Turkey, it is difficult to talk about the independence of the judiciary, especially since the July 2016 putsch attempt. In the wake of this coup, the head of state dismissed more than 4,000 judges and prosecutors – almost 30% of the judiciary – accused of having supported the perpetrators of the putsch. Only the Constitutional Court still knows how to make decisions that displease President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. But maybe not for very long… In Istanbul, Anne Andlauer.
Angry Italian high school students
Direction Italy for a completely different subject, the anger of high school students: they have mobilized a lot, in recent months, with demonstrations and occupations of establishments. AND a watchword: more investment in dilapidated schools, and change! This is the report in Rome of Blandine Hugonnet.
The European eye of Franceline Beretti
And we will finish this program on the borders… Since the Schengen agreements, the citizens of the signatory countries can circulate freely… and the external borders of the EU are reinforced. Not enough for some, badly anyway. This is why France would like to reform Schengen. Small point on a flagship text of Europe, it is the European eye of Franceline Beretti.