Warsaw: Poland’s most senior judge has published an open letter accusing the conservative government of “staging a coup” against the judiciary, reports BBC.

It comes after the government passed controversial reforms that critics say threaten the rule of law in Poland.

Malgorzata Gersdorf said the government was walking “along the abyss” into which the whole nation might fall.

The EU recently launched unprecedented disciplinary measures against Poland because of the judicial reforms. Poland has been given three months to address the concerns.

“The coup d’etat against the structure of one of the most important state institutions is taking place - not with armed force or paramilitary troops but by misusing legal institutions,” Ms Gersdorf, the Supreme Court chief justice, said in the open letter published on Friday.

“I warn the government: do not break the social contract written in the form of the constitution. You are walking carelessly along the abyss into which the whole nation may finally fall down.”

President Andrzej Duda has signed into law two bills reforming the Supreme Court and the National Council of the Judiciary.

One allows politicians to choose members of the judiciary council, which appoints judges.

The governing conservative Law and Justice Party (PiS) says the aim is to curb corruption and the influence of the former communist elite. But critics say the party is trying to cement its hold on power.

The other law lowers the retirement age for Supreme Court judges and would force out about 40% of those currently sitting.