Polish President cuts short trip amid conflict over the Constitutional Tribunal

Suspension of the tribunal's leadership

On October 30, judge Anna Kowrin-Piotrowska announced the suspension of Constitutional Tribunal president Bogdan Swięckowski and his deputy Bartłomiej Sochański from their official duties for one month. DW reported this, citing developments in Warsaw. The decision states that the leadership had obstructed the participation of judges elected by parliament in 2026 and sworn in, in the consideration of cases. Kowrin-Piotrowska justified her authority by a provision of the law allowing the head of the tribunal to be replaced by the judge with the longest judicial service, and scheduled a general assembly of judges for November 3.

Reaction of the authorities

Bartłomiej Sochański did not recognize the decision and described what was happening as a 'state coup', stating that he did not know of any legal basis for his suspension. Prime Minister Donald Tusk supported the temporary suspension of the tribunal's leadership, explaining it as part of the process of restoring the rule of law and the need for decisive action. President Karol Nawrocki cut short his trip to Senegal because of the conflict: his chancellery officially confirmed the decision to return to Poland. After returning, he met with Swięckowski and First President of the Supreme Court Zbigniew Kapiński, and then entered the tribunal building accompanied by Kapiński.

Cordon and detentions

Demonstrators gathered around the tribunal building. Warsaw police reported that, following reports of a possible threat to the safety of judges and staff, it cordoned off the area but did not enter the building. According to the police, three people who violated the ban and entered the tribunal's grounds were detained.

The essence of the conflict

At the heart of the confrontation is a disagreement between Tusk's government and President Nawrocki over the recognition of the powers of the new judges: the president refused to swear in some of the judges elected by parliament, and the tribunal president barred them from hearing cases. In addition, on October 30, Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek announced the filing of five motions to lift the immunity of judges, including applications concerning the tribunal president and his deputy. Thus, the suspension of the tribunal's leadership is already a decision that has been made, whereas the question of the judges' powers and the prosecutor's motions remain in development, and the outcome of the confrontation is not yet determined.