Polish President's mid-air U-turn, riot police at court, street protests: Poland's top court crisis deepens

Poland's President Karol Nawrocki abruptly canceled a trip to Africa mid-flight after riot police were deployed around the country's constitutional court on Friday. The court's chief justice, Bogdan Swieczkowski, was suspended amid a clash between the centrist government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the nationalist right-wing Law and Justice party (PiS).

Dozens of police were stationed at the court entrance as supporters of PiS protested against the removal of Swieczkowski. The demonstrators chanted "Tusk traitor" and accused the government of disregarding constitutional rights. Some tried to breach security barriers, leading to the arrest of three individuals attempting to enter the court complex.

Tusk's government had been attempting to remove the court's judges, appointed by the previous PiS government from 2015 to 2023, who had frequently ruled in favor of Polish legislation over EU law. The European Union criticized Poland's supreme court for being too aligned with nationalist political power. Tusk, a strong pro-EU advocate, pledged to resolve the dispute with Brussels after winning the 2023 election. However, the president, a right-wing independent, had blocked his nominations to the court.

Former PiS Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski addressed the protest and urged Nawrocki to intervene. Nawrocki canceled his African trip, returning to Warsaw, and met with Swieczkowski and court's first chief justice Zbigniew Kapinski at the presidential palace. No further action was specified. Nawrocki convened a meeting with Swieczkowski and Kapinski at the presidential palace, but no details were provided on potential measures.

Swieczkowski's suspension was announced by another judge, Anna Korwin-Piotrowska, who stated that the action was necessary to restore the rule of law. Justice Minister Waldemar Zurek, who also serves as attorney general, requested the removal of legal immunity for Swieczkowski and his deputy, Bartlomiej Sochanski. He emphasized, "This court has become private property; we must restore its proper functioning."

Tusk justified his actions, stating, "Restoring the rule of law is our duty. After years of PiS-led lawlessness, this is a difficult and sometimes painful process that requires decisive action. There is no other way." The constitutional court's website was inaccessible on Friday evening, and its social media account claimed a "coup d'état," while maintaining Swieczkowski's position.

Korwin-Piotrowska could not assume interim chief status, as she had not been officially sworn in by the president. She commented, "In modern Europe, a democratic state cannot function without a constitutional court that serves as a guardian of citizens' rights and freedoms."