Polish president abruptly returns home amidst court intervention

Law enforcement secured the Tribunal building following demonstrations by dozens of protesters who condemned the suspension of the court’s president by the current government. Police reported that objects were thrown at officers during the protests. Demonstrators held signs expressing disapproval of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, with slogans like “Tusk — a symbol of anti-Polish sentiment.”

The Constitutional Tribunal has been a source of conflict between Tusk’s pro-European government and the national-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, which previously held power. The PiS has faced criticism for alleged political interference in judicial institutions, leading to EU fines.

President Nawrocki, aligned with the PiS, previously refused to swear in three judges nominated by parliament. Bogdan Święczkowski, the suspended Constitutional Tribunal president appointed by the PiS, had blocked judges elected by the current parliamentary majority from assuming their roles. He was suspended on Friday.

Prime Minister Tusk, who assumed office in 2023, pledged to restore judicial independence. He posted on X, “Restoring the rule of law is our duty. After years of PiS-led lawlessness, this is a difficult process, sometimes painful, and it requires decisive action. There is no other way.”

Former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, now leading the Rozwój Plus coalition, denounced the “forceful takeover” of the Tribunal. He stated, “Justice cannot be achieved through violence,” and accused Tusk of employing “Belarusian methods.” Former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro described the events as a “coup d’état” and called for widespread resistance.