Poland's constitutional crisis: physical confrontation between President Nawrocki and judges at the Constitutional Tribunal

In depth

Poland is grappling with a constitutional crisis following the announcement of the suspension of the president of the Constitutional Tribunal and his deputy. Polish President Karol Nawrocki cut short his visit to Senegal and changed his flight route back to Warsaw. Police forces were deployed around the fortified Tribunal compound, where protesters gathered. The suspension initiative came from Prime Minister Donald Tusk as part of an effort to purge the judiciary of power centers of the previous government. The opposition accused the government of attempting a coup.

Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek asked to lift the immunity of the Tribunal president, Bogdan Święczkowski, and his deputy, Bartłomiej Sochański, in order to bring them to criminal trial. The Constitutional Tribunal responded that those involved are committing the crime of a governmental coup. The US ambassador to the country warned against escalation and a confrontation that could get out of control.

Overnight, President Nawrocki arrived at the Constitutional Tribunal and physically confronted judges. According to Ynet, Nawrocki told the judges at the entrance that they are not judges of the Constitutional Tribunal. Prime Minister Donald Tusk later attacked the president, claiming he threatens judges and harms the rule of law.