Political crisis intensifies around the Constitutional Tribunal in Poland

Political confrontation in Poland

The crisis surrounding the Constitutional Tribunal in Poland has intensified, accompanied by a police raid on the building. The opposition, including Law and Justice party leader Jarosław Kaczyński, assesses the actions of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government as an illegal state coup and an attempt to seize the Tribunal. For his part, Prime Minister Donald Tusk states that it is the government's duty to restore the rule of law. Imedi+4

The police cited violent incidents outside the building and the throwing of objects at officers as the reason for the raid. On Friday evening, clashes also occurred between law enforcement and demonstrators near the building. Imedi+4

Status of the Constitutional Tribunal

The situation became tense after an order from Judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska was published on the Tribunal's website, suspending the powers of Chairman Bogdan Święczkowski and his deputy. Later, a statement was circulated on the X platform that the Tribunal's website had been hijacked and that Święczkowski continues to perform his duties. Additionally, Minister of Justice Waldemar Żurek stated that he had requested the Tribunal to lift the immunity of the judges. Interpressnews

Polish President Karol Nawrocki cut short his visit to Senegal and returned to the country. According to reports, the President entered the Constitutional Tribunal building despite police resistance. The institutional crisis, which has been linked to the appointment of judges since 2015, intensified this year after the President refused to appoint judges nominated by parliament. Imedi+4