Poland enters constitutional crisis as president and prime minister clash
Riot police were deployed in Warsaw after the Constitutional Tribunal president and his deputy were suspended for one month.
Poland faced a new constitutional crisis on Friday after the president of the Constitutional Tribunal, Bogdan Święczkowski, and deputy Bartłomiej Sochański were suspended for one month. Judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska issued the suspension, accusing the two men of blocking legally appointed judges from court proceedings.
Justice minister Waldemar Żurek said he requested that the immunity of the two judges be lifted to allow criminal proceedings against them. The Constitutional Tribunal disputed the suspension and stated in a social media post that those participating in the actions were committing a coup d'etat.
Riot police were deployed outside the court in Warsaw following concerns regarding the safety of staff and judges. Police reported that three people were detained after demonstrators breached the court fence and threw objects at officers.
President Karol Nawrocki cut short a flight to Senegal to return to Poland as the confrontation between Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government and the Law and Justice (PiS) party intensified. PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński accused the government of authoritarianism, claiming Poland is becoming a police state.
Prime Minister Tusk stated on X that restoring the rule of law is his duty and requires decisive action. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski told ANI that action was necessary to enable the Tribunal to function again.
Judge Maciej Berek alleged that President Nawrocki pushed through a group of judges at the tribunal entrance. Berek claimed the president crashed into Judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska with force, though he noted that no one grabbed the president.