The Hindu Newspaper Editorial Vocabulary : 24-November-2018 -For Various Competitive Exams

The Hindu Newspaper Editorial Vocabulary : 24-November-2018

Rolling back: On Poland judiciary crisis 

Poland’s ultra-conservative regime finally reverses the forced retirement of judge

The Polish government’s decision to rescind the forced retirement of several Supreme Court judges is a welcome sign of its willingness to improve compliance with the rule of law. This could begin a process to resolve the stand-off between Poland’s Law and Justice party (PiS) government and the European Union. The decision to reverse the contested provision in the law, introduced in July, follows the European Court of Justice (ECJ) order last month to suspend the measure. The European Commission had earlier asked the Luxembourg-based institution to freeze the retirement move, pending a final ruling on whether Poland’s judicial overhaul was at odds with the bloc’s common policies. Brussels has in parallel launched a formal probe into Warsaw’s adherence to “fundamental European values”. Poland’s Supreme Court too had referred the contested provision to the ECJ to ascertain that there was no discrepancy between the national and European statutes. But the referral drew flak from PiS apparatchiks, who regard criticism of domestic policies by the EU as encroachment on Poland’s sovereignty. Since winning a commanding majority in 2015, the ultra-conservative government has undermined media freedoms and democratic institutions. The lower age of retirement, which in effect removed a third of the judges, was seen as part of a design to politicise the judiciary. This followed the subversion of the constitutional tribunal, which adjudicates the validity of laws. A 2018 statute that criminalises references to Nazi atrocities too drew condemnation as an assault on freedom of expression.

Poland’s principal pro-European opposition party, the Civic Platform, characterises the regressive laws as part of the government’s design to pull the country out of the EU. Its improved performance in the October regional elections may well have forced the government to reconsider some of its policies. The PiS will also be keen to project a moderate face ahead of the 2019 polls to the European and Polish parliaments. Developments in Warsaw will be watched closely in the other three Visegrád countries, notably Hungary, where the government’s stridently populist stance has brought it into open confrontation with Brussels. In fact, Poland and Hungary face a legal challenge at the Luxembourg court over non-compliance with the policy to share responsibility for the treatment of Syrian migrants. A refrain from these governments has been that the institutional reforms were meant to complete the post-socialist transition. But such an explanation does not wash with civil society, judging from the opposition to the authoritarian lurch. As the biggest beneficiary of EU funds in the current budget cycle, Poland has an interest in improving its standing with an eye on future allocations. As it commemorates a century since gaining independence, it is time the country looked ahead.

Courtesy:  The Hindu

01. Rolling back (phrasal verb) – reverse, cancel, repeal/rescind.
02. In compliance with (noun) – adherence to, conformity to, accordance with.
03. Stand-off (noun) – deadlock, stalemate, impasse (in a dispute/conflict).
04. Contested (adjective) – disputed, debated, argued.
05. Overhaul (noun) – thorough examination, reorganization/restructuring, rearrangement.
06. At odds (phrase) – in conflict, in disagreement, at variance.
07. Bloc (noun) – alliance, association, union.
08. In parallel (phrase) – something happening at the same time in relation to something else.
09. Ascertain (verb) – find out, make sure of, come to know.
10. Statutes (noun) – act/law, regulation, rule.
11. Flak (noun) – strong criticism, censure, disapproval.
12. Encroachment (noun) – intrusion, invasion, infiltration.
13. Sovereignty (noun) – autonomy, independence, self-government/self-rule.
14. Undermine (verb) – weaken, compromise, subvert.
15. Design (noun) – aim/objective, purpose, intention.
16. Subversion (noun) – the act of undermining, worsening, reducing (power & authority gradually).
17. Adjudicate (verb) – judge, adjudge, give a verdict on something controversially.
18. Atrocity (noun) – act of barbarity/brutality, cruelty, inhumanity.
19. Regressive (adjective) – negative, unprogressive, retrograde.
20. Pull out (phrasal verb) – withdraw, leave, get out.
21. Populist (adjective) – relating to the politicians who claim that they are representing the common/ordinary people.
22. Confrontation (noun) – conflict/fight, tussle, face-off.
23. Refrain (noun) – a (repeated) complaint/comment.
24. Authoritarian (adjective) – dictatorial, totalitarian, autocratic.
25. Lurch (noun) – a sudden uncontrolled movement.
26. Commemorate (verb) – celebrate, pay homage to, honour.
27. Look ahead (phrase verb) – to think about what will happen in the future.
Note: All meanings took from Oxforddictionaries.com and Google.co.in only  
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