Prime minister’s “right-hand man” elected as Polish constitutional court judge
Maciej Berek was chosen despite a rebellion from some members of the ruling coalition.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has chosen Maciej Berek, described as his "right-hand man," to be elected as a judge on the Constitutional Tribunal, avoiding a coalition rebellion. Critics argue that this nomination violates the government's pledge to "depoliticise" the TK. Berek served as a government minister from 2023 until last month, stepping down to run for the TK.
However, opposition-aligned President Karol Nawrocki has refused to swear in four TK judges chosen by parliament, opposing Berek's candidacy. Despite the government's efforts, Berek obtained the necessary majority with 226 votes in the 437-member Sejm. The crisis surrounding Poland's Constitutional Tribunal deepens as the president refuses to swear in new judges, leading to an interim order by the European Court of Human Rights requiring the tribunal to accept these judges.
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