Overview
- Judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska announced the suspension of court president Bogdan Swieczkowski, but the Constitutional Tribunal’s official X account called the action a “coup d’etat” and said Swieczkowski remains in office because Korwin-Piotrowska has not been sworn in by the president.
- Dozens of police and riot units were deployed around the court while supporters of the Law and Justice party gathered outside to protest and the court’s website and social channels showed conflicting messaging.
- President Karol Nawrocki cancelled a planned trip to Senegal and returned to Warsaw as the standoff unfolded and the dispute over who may administer oaths to new judges became central to the fight.
- Justice Minister Waldemar Zurek said he has asked for the lifting of the judicial immunity enjoyed by Swieczkowski and his deputy Bartłomiej Sochanski, a legal step that could expose them to prosecution or removal procedures.
- The clash is part of a longer battle over PiS-era court appointments and Tusk’s push to restore what his government calls rule of law, and it could trigger court rulings, parliamentary moves or further street unrest while drawing renewed EU attention.