Poland's government is attempting to overhaul judicial appointments carried out under previous nationalist rule, triggering severe institutional friction and street demonstrations. The controversial suspension of chief justice Bogdan Swieczkowski has prompted official accusations of an unconstitutional power grab. Prime Minister Donald Tusk framed the move as essential to restoring the rule of law, while opposition supporters mobilized to defend the court. As tensions escalated outside the tribunal, the court's website went completely offline on Friday evening.
Key points
The Constitutional Tribunal rejected the suspension of its chief justice and formally lab…: The Constitutional Tribunal rejected the suspension of its chief justice and formally labeled the action a coup d'etat.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk defended the intervention as a necessary measure to undo judic…: Prime Minister Donald Tusk defended the intervention as a necessary measure to undo judicial appointments made between 2015 and 2023.
The tribunal argued Anna Korwin-Piotrowska lacks the legal authority to serve as interim…: The tribunal argued Anna Korwin-Piotrowska lacks the legal authority to serve as interim chief justice because the president never swore her in.
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Poland witnessed fresh tensions between its government and the nationalist right on Friday after riot police were deployed around the country's constitutional tribunal following the suspension of its chief justice, Bogdan Swieczkowski.
Poland President Karol Nawrocki also cut short an official visit to Africa and decided to return to Warsaw amid the escalating dispute.
Dozens of police personnel guarded the court building as supporters of the opposition Law and Justice party (PiS) gathered to protest Swieczkowski's removal. The court's official social media account described the development as a "coup d'etat", while insisting that Swieczkowski remained in office.
Why was the chief justice suspended
The suspension was announced by constitutional tribunal judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska. Justice minister and attorney general Waldemar Zurek said he had sought the lifting of the legal immunity enjoyed by Swieczkowski and his deputy, Bartlomiej Sochanski.
The move comes amid a prolonged dispute over the composition and functioning of Poland's top court. The government has been attempting to remove judges appointed during the previous PiS administration, which governed the country from 2015 to 2023.
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