Poland PM seeks answers over online hate campaign allegation

Poland’s prime minister is demanding an explanation from his justice minister after allegations surfaced the minister’s deputy encouraged an online hate campaign against judges critical of the government.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Tuesday he expects Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro to explain allegations published by the onet.pl news portal that his deputy, Lukasz Piebiak, encouraged an online user to try to discredit some 20 judges.

The judges targeted have criticized the right-wing government for changes it has made to Poland’s judiciary, saying they were damaging to judicial independence.

The allegations are an embarrassment for the government ahead of October elections, and Morawiecki says he’ll decide on consequences once he’s heard Ziobro’s explanation. Opposition parties are calling for Ziobro’s and Piebiak’s dismissal.

The Justice Ministry had no immediate comment.