Poland Constitutional Tribunal Police Deployed After Judge Suspended

Background of the Dispute

Poland's Constitutional Tribunal has long been a point of serious political contention, with critics in Poland and across the European Union accusing PiS, which led the country from 2015 to 2023, of imposing political control over the court by electing judges friendly to the party and its policies.

When Poland's pro-European government came to power, it promised to restore the independence of the judiciary. However, two attempts to do so have been vetoed by two PiS-aligned presidents, one of them Nawrocki.

Since his election in mid-2025, Nawrocki has refused to swear in three of six judges nominated by the Polish parliament. Swieczkowski was himself appointed to his position by the former PiS government.

Official Reactions

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on X that restoring the rule of law is the government's duty. "After years of lawlessness under PiS, this process is difficult, at times even painful, and requires decisive action. There is no other way," said Tusk, leader of the Civic Coalition party.

PiS politicians, currently Poland's largest opposition force, condemned the suspension. "This is a blatant, criminal attack on the constitutional order," former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro wrote on X on Friday.

President Nawrocki, who is allied with PiS, announced he was turning his plane around while travelling to a sporting event in Senegal. "At a moment like this, the President must be in Poland," he said.

What Happens Next

Police have detained three people after some in the crowd outside the tribunal launched what authorities described as dangerous projectiles. The request to lift the immunity of Swieczkowski and his deputy remains pending, and further official action is awaited as the political standoff over the court's future continues.