Warsaw, Poland – On Monday, March 2, 2026, the Polish government announced the appointment of two new representatives to the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission, a move signaling a commitment to upholding democratic standards and the rule of law. The appointments come as Poland continues to navigate complex legal reforms and international scrutiny of its judicial independence.
The new representatives are Professor Wojciech Sadurski and Professor Monika Florczak-Wątor, both highly respected legal scholars specializing in constitutional law. According to the Ministry of Justice, both were selected for their exceptional qualifications, independence, and expertise in constitutional and international law.
“We are sending to work in the Venice Commission worthy representatives with unquestionable achievements and full independence,” said Minister of Justice Waldemar Żurek in a social media post. “Congratulations to Professor Wojciech Sadurski and Professor Monika Florczak-Wątor on their appointment and I wish them success.”
Professor Sadurski is a constitutional law expert and professor of law at the University of Sydney and the European University Institute in Warsaw. His research focuses on democracy, authoritarianism, and the protection of fundamental rights, and his publications are frequently cited in discussions about the rule of law in Europe.
Professor Florczak-Wątor is a professor at Jagiellonian University, where she heads the Department of Constitutional Law at the Faculty of Law, and Administration.
The appointments were made as the Venice Commission recently issued an opinion on proposed legislation concerning so-called “neo-judges” – judges appointed under a controversial process involving the previous National Council of the Judiciary. The Commission generally agreed with the bill’s underlying principles but suggested key amendments, as reported by oko.press. The legislation was initially presented in October by Minister of Justice Waldemar Żurek.
The move to appoint new representatives to the Venice Commission underscores Poland’s engagement with European legal standards and its willingness to address concerns regarding judicial independence. The government’s announcement emphasized the importance of safeguarding the foundations of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights throughout Europe.
