12/10/2020 (Agence Europe) – In a statement issued on Monday, the Venice Commission expressed concern about the risk of paralysis for the institution of ombudsman in Poland. “The term of office of the current Polish Human Rights Commissioner expired on 9 September”, it said, “without the successor having been elected”, but on 17 September, “some MPs asked the Constitutional Court to declare unconstitutional the provision of the law stating that the outgoing Commissioner shall exercise his duties until the incumbent assumes the post”. According to the Venice Commission, no vacancy may affect the continuity of the office of Ombudsman. It recalls that the ‘Venice Principles’ on the protection of this institution stipulate that States must refrain from any measures aimed at hindering its effective functioning. (VL)