Poland Constitutional Tribunal, USA News (Warsaw, Poland): Poland’s top court has accused Prime Minister Donald Tusk of launching a coup as riot police were deployed to and entered the Constitutional Tribunal in Warsaw amid clashes with protesters. The constitutional crisis was triggered by the removal of Tribunal President Bogdan Swieczkowski while President Karol Nawrocki, an ally of Poland’s previous Eurosceptic Law and Justice (PiS) party government, was flying to Senegal. President Nawrocki cut short his international visit and raced back to Poland amid the standoff between the pro-EU Government of Mr Tusk and those connected to its PiS predecessors.
Polish Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek demanded that the court strip Constitutional Tribunal President Święczkowski, who previously served as PiS deputy justice minister, and Vice-President Bartłomiej Sochański of their immunity from prosecution so that criminal charges can be brought. “All persons participating in these actions are committing the crime of a coup d’etat,” the Constitutional Tribunal said in a social media post. MEP Arkadiusz Mularczyk wrote on X that a coup d’état was underway, stating that forces acting on behalf of the current government had unlawfully entered the Constitutional Tribunal to prevent legally appointed judges from entering.
Mr Tusk addressed the chaos on social media, insisting that restoring the rule of law is their duty. He noted that after years of PiS-led lawlessness, the process is difficult and requires decisive action, adding that failure to act could lead to Poland being led out of the European Union. In dramatic scenes, President Nawrocki was filmed attempting to enter the Constitutional Tribunal, pushing through security after cancelling his trip to Senegal. In a statement released at 4.11am, he said a violation of the constitutional order occurred, noting that the First President of the Supreme Court did not recognise the actions taken by individuals usurping power as legal, and called for security forces to leave the Tribunal and for an urgent consultation.
Reacting to the scenes, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the situation in Poland as very serious, citing arrests and a raid on the constitutional court. Earlier this year, President Nawrocki refused to swear in three judges appointed by parliament, while Tribunal President Swieczkowski refused to allow judges elected by the current parliamentary majority to assume their duties. The European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the European Union previously ruled that the PiS majority improperly elected three judges and that the top court was no longer an independent and impartial tribunal. Mr Tusk’s government has since sought to undo PiS-government reforms using the EU ruling as justification.
Outside the courthouse, police reported that objects were hurled at officers by protesters. The force deployed after receiving letters from the Prosecutor General and Judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska warning of threats to judges and staff. PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski joined protesters outside and attempted to force his way into the building. Local media reported three arrests for attempting to enter the building. Justice Minister Żurek blamed the Tribunal President for turning the court into his private fiefdom.
Two ambassadors resigned as a result of the suspension of Tribunal President Święczkowski and the ensuing chaos. Jakub Kumoch, Poland’s ambassador to China, and Paweł Soloch, Poland’s ambassador to Romania, both announced their resignations on social media. Foreign Affairs Minister Radosław Sikorski acknowledged Kumoch’s departure. US Ambassador to Poland Tom Rose released a statement reacting to the uproar, noting that thousands gathering outside the Tribunal make a dangerous situation more combustible and emphasizing that America supports Poland’s stability, security, and democratic future.
