Poland’s President Accuses Tusk Government of Forcible Takeover of Constitutional Tribunal

Polish President Karol Nawrocki has accused Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government of staging a forced takeover of the country’s Constitutional Tribunal following the suspension of its president, Bogdan Swieczkowski.

The dispute escalated on Friday after the tribunal announced that its longest-serving judge, Anna Korwin-Piotrowska, had suspended Swieczkowski and assumed leadership of the court.

Swieczkowski was appointed during the previous administration led by the nationalist Law and Justice Party, which is politically aligned with Nawrocki.

Nawrocki Demands Urgent Political Consultations

Reacting to the development on Saturday, Nawrocki described the suspension as a breach of public order and a forcible takeover of a constitutional institution.

The president reportedly cut short his trip to Africa and returned to Poland to address the situation. He subsequently visited the court, where riot police were deployed as several hundred protesters demanded Swieczkowski’s reinstatement.

Nawrocki called for urgent political consultations over the development, further highlighting the growing tension between the presidency and the government.

Tusk Government Defends Judicial Reforms

Prime Minister Donald Tusk defended his government's actions, saying the administration was working to restore the rule of law after years of controversy surrounding judicial independence under the previous government.

In a statement posted on X, Tusk acknowledged that the process had been difficult but insisted that decisive action was necessary to reform the country's judicial system.

The European Union had previously accused the Law and Justice administration of undermining judicial independence, allegations that contributed to a prolonged dispute over Poland's constitutional institutions.

Years of Disagreement Over Judicial Appointments

The latest confrontation is part of a political dispute dating back to 2015, when the Law and Justice Party attempted to appoint judges to positions that had already been filled by the previous government.

Its nominees later secured a majority on the Constitutional Tribunal, prompting criticism from domestic and international observers who questioned the court's independence and impartiality.

After taking office in 2023, Tusk's coalition promised to restore the rule of law and reform the judiciary. However, Nawrocki, who was elected president in 2025, has opposed several of the government's efforts.

Earlier this year, the president refused to swear in three of six judges nominated by parliament, while Swieczkowski declined to seat judges selected by the current parliamentary majority.

The dispute intensified further last month when parliament appointed Maciej Berek, an ally of Tusk, to the tribunal. Critics argued that the appointment also raised questions about the government's commitment to restoring institutional checks and balances.

The latest developments have deepened the uncertainty surrounding the leadership and authority of Poland's Constitutional Tribunal, with both political camps maintaining opposing positions on the country's judicial reforms.

Reuters