<p>WARSAW, Poland — Poland’s top court ruled Thursday that it is unconstitutional for the country’s human rights ombudsman to remain in the job indefinitely after his term expired. </p>
<p>The ruling by the pro-government Constitutional Tribunal paves the way for the removal of the current acting ombudsman, Adam Bodnar. His term ended in September. </p>
<p>The ombudsman’s office is an independent institution that safeguards the civil rights of individuals and can represent them in disputes with government authorities. </p>
<p>The court ruled that a law that had allowed Poland’s human rights ombudsperson to remain in office until a successor is found was imprecisely worded and lacked time limits. The Constitutional Tribunal gave lawmakers three months to amend the law. </p>
<p>Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party has been critical of Bodnar, but it has been locked in a stalemate with the opposition over the choice of his successor. The right-wing party had challenged the law in the constitutional court while Bodnar remained in office in an acting capacity,</p>
