Polish president cuts short foreign trip as constitutional crisis escalates in Warsaw

Polish President Karol Nawrocki abruptly ended a foreign trip to Senegal on October 30, 2026, to address a growing constitutional crisis in Warsaw. The dispute centers on the leadership of Poland's Constitutional Tribunal, an institution crucial to the country's legal framework.

The conflict stems from a longstanding disagreement between Prime Minister Donald Tusk's pro-European government and the conservative opposition, which supports President Nawrocki. Recently, tensions escalated after the tribunal's president, Bogdan Święczkowski, and deputy president, Bartłomiej Sochański, were reportedly suspended by Tusk's administration. The government accused the tribunal of obstructing the appointment of judges chosen by parliament.

The tribunal rejected the suspensions, alleging their website had been unlawfully seized and accusing unidentified individuals of attempting a coup. Tensions further erupted when protesters gathered outside the court, throwing objects at police and breaching security fences. Three individuals were subsequently arrested.

Former Deputy Foreign Minister Arkadiusz Mularczyk accused the government of attempting a coup, asserting that legally appointed judges were being barred from entering the tribunal. In response to the crisis, Tusk called for the restoration of rule of law, acknowledging the challenges and the need for decisive action.