Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal Descends Into Chaos Amid Power Struggle

On Friday evening, seven judges elected by parliament entered Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal accompanied by State Protection Service officers, arriving just before the court’s presiding judge was suspended.

Hours later, Polish President Karol Nawrocki arrived at the tribunal, where a confrontation erupted as he attempted to gain entry. Footage captured him pushing past a group of judges.

Nawrocki subsequently called for emergency talks with political leaders and accused the government of attempting to seize control of a key constitutional institution by force.

Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek said he hoped prosecutors would launch an investigation into the incident.

The dramatic overnight developments have intensified a long-running crisis surrounding Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal.

What began as a political and legal dispute over judicial appointments and tribunal leadership has now escalated into a direct confrontation at its headquarters.

The latest episode began when seven individuals selected by the Sejm to serve as Constitutional Tribunal judges entered the building.

According to tribunal spokesperson Weronika Ścibor, security guards were ordered to pack their belongings and vacate the premises.

At the same time, incumbent tribunal president Bogdan Święczkowski and vice-president Bartłomiej Sochański were reportedly denied entry.

Ścibor suggested the operation was deliberately timed to exploit the absence of some staff members.

Judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska subsequently announced she was assuming leadership of the tribunal and suspending Święczkowski from his duties.

The tribunal’s current leadership has challenged the legality of these actions.

Nawrocki Cuts Short Senegal Trip

In response to the unfolding situation, Nawrocki cut short his visit to Senegal and returned to Poland.

At the presidential palace, he met with Zbigniew Kapiński, First President of the Supreme Court, before proceeding to the tribunal headquarters alongside Kapiński and a group of aides.

Footage posted on X showed scuffles breaking out with a group of judges, including Korwin-Piotrowska, as Nawrocki attempted to enter the building.

Nawrocki Accuses Government of Power Grab

Early Saturday morning, Nawrocki’s chief of staff, Paweł Szefernaker, read a presidential statement outside the tribunal, describing the night’s events as a breach of Poland’s constitutional order and a forcible takeover of a state institution.

“Tonight, there has been a breach of the constitutional order of the Republic of Poland and a forcible takeover of a constitutional organ of the state,” Szefernaker said.

“I call for the restoration of the legal order and for the forces of coercion sent there by the government to leave the Tribunal’s grounds,” he added.

Nawrocki said he had consulted with Kapiński and that neither recognized the actions of those unlawfully claiming authority within the tribunal.

He said he planned to hold emergency talks with representatives of parliamentary political groups on Saturday, describing the move as necessary to address a threat to internal state security and stabilize the political situation.

Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek has also commented on the incident, expressing concern over the president’s behavior.

“The president’s behavior alarmed me enormously,” he said, adding that he hoped the prosecution service would take action and that it was unacceptable for someone protected by presidential immunity to behave in such a way.

He argued that footage showed the president “forcing his way in and attacking the judges.”

Żurek also acknowledged that discussions had taken place regarding the tribunal situation, including with Bartłomiej Sochański, but no compromise had been reached.

He stressed that the tribunal should resume normal operations and address citizens’ outstanding cases.

Protests Erupt Outside Tribunal

Protests were held around the tribunal building, involving politicians from PiS and Confederation along with right-wing supporters.

Among those present were party leader Jarosław Kaczyński, Mateusz Morawiecki, former tribunal president Julia Przyłębska, and Bogdan Święczkowski.

The PiS leader described the events as an assault on the Constitutional Tribunal, calling for protests to continue and warning that Poland risked becoming a police state.

PiS MEP Patryk Jaki added that images from the tribunal had already circulated globally and could damage the image of Donald Tusk’s government.

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