In Poland, MPs declared a coup d’état: all the details of the conflict around the Constitutional Tribunal

The conflict surrounding the Constitutional Tribunal has escalated in Poland: Law and Justice (PiS) party deputies are declaring a coup d’état and an attempt to seize the institution after announcing the dismissal of its chairman Bohdan Święczkowski and his deputy Bartłomiej Sochanski. Amid the confrontation, police were called to the building, President Karol Nawrocki cut short a visit to Senegal, and Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that restoring the rule of law was his government’s duty.

This is reported by RMF24 .

Conflict over the leadership of the Constitutional Tribunal

The judges elected by the current convocation of the Polish Sejm announced the removal of the President of the Constitutional Tribunal, Bohdan Święczkowski, and his deputy, Bartłomiej Sochanski. The institution’s interim leadership has been taken over by Judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska, who has the most experience among the judges.

Korwin-Piotrowska justifies her actions with Article 130 of the Law on the Organization of General Courts. It provides for the possibility of temporarily suspending a judge from performing his duties for a period of up to 1 month if the important interests of the service require it.

According to the new judges, the work of the Constitutional Tribunal is currently paralyzed, which, in their opinion, is grounds for the removal of its leadership.

At the same time, Święczkowski and Sochanski do not recognize the authority of Korwin-Piotrowski. They claim that she is not a judge of the Constitutional Tribunal because Polish President Karol Nawrocki refused to swear in some of the newly elected judges, which prevented them from working.

PiS MPs declare coup d’état

Amidst the personnel confrontation, deputies from the Law and Justice party are declaring a coup d’état and an attempt to seize the Constitutional Tribunal. The conflict concerns the legality of decisions to remove the institution’s leadership, the status of new judges, and the right of the interim leadership to take over management.

Thus, the parties interpret the legality of the actions of the new judges and the powers of the leadership of the Constitutional Tribunal differently.

Police were called to the tribunal building

Anna Korwin-Piotrowska contacted the police due to a possible threat to the safety of judges and employees of the institution, as well as the risk of a public order disturbance. Law enforcement officers arrived at the tribunal premises amid conflict and protests near the building.

The Polish Metropolitan Police said it was acting within its authority and fulfilling its legal obligations to ensure security and public order. Law enforcement officers also announced the detention of 3 people who climbed over the fence and entered the institution.

According to the police, procedural actions against the detainees will be carried out in accordance with Article 193 of the Polish Criminal Code, which concerns the violation of the inviolability of a legally protected premises.

Navrotsky interrupted his visit to Senegal

Polish President Karol Nawrocki canceled his visit to Senegal and returned to the country amid the worsening situation surrounding the Constitutional Tribunal.

“At this moment, the president should be in Poland. I’m interrupting my flight to Senegal. I’m returning,” Navrotsky wrote .

His decision was a reaction to the political aggravation surrounding the leadership of the Constitutional Tribunal.

Tusk stated the need to restore the rule of law

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also commented on the situation. He said that restoring the rule of law is the duty of his government.

“Restoring the rule of law is our duty. After years of lawlessness under PiS, this is a difficult, sometimes painful process that requires decisive action. There is no other way,” Tusk wrote.

Thus, against the backdrop of accusations from PiS deputies of an attempted coup, the head of the Polish government justified the actions of his political force by the need to restore the rule of law in the country.

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