Polish NGOs urge PM’s “right-hand man” to withdraw constitutional court candidacy
They warn that Maciej Berek's political ties could undermine efforts to restore public trust in the court.
A coalition of Polish civil society organisations has urged former government minister Maciej Berek to withdraw his candidacy for a seat on the Constitutional Tribunal (TK). The nine organisations argue that Berek's close ties to Prime Minister Donald Tusk could undermine confidence in the court's independence. The Constitutional Tribunal has been in crisis since 2015 following judicial appointments made by the former Law and Justice (PiS) government.
The appeal comes after Tusk announced Berek as his "right-hand man" as a candidate for the TK. The organisations stress that the court's legitimacy requires both addressing legal irregularities and rebuilding public trust. They argue that Berek's nomination contravenes a principle that the current ruling coalition introduced, which bars anyone who has held political office within the past four years from appointment to the tribunal.
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