Polish PM calls on president to end chaos over Constitutional Court

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has accused President Karol Nawrocki of exacerbating the ongoing turmoil at the Constitutional Court in Poland, stating a resolution is attainable without amending the constitution. Tusk asserted on Monday that "the president acknowledges the lawfully appointed judges as stipulated by the constitution," which should enable them to commence their duties at the court. He contended that Nawrocki, however, has opted for a route of "violent confrontation" thus far.

The clash between the two major political factions over appointing judges to the Constitutional Court intensified on Friday following an announcement on the tribunal's website. The notice declared that the present president, Bogdan Swięczkowski, and his deputy had been momentarily suspended. Judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska was appointed to oversee the court on an interim basis.

The conservative nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, which governed Poland from 2015 to 2023, had populated the court with judges aligned with its ideology. Following the 2023 government change, Tusk's center-left coalition has endeavored to fill vacant constitutional judge positions.

Judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska is among five newly appointed constitutional judges nominated by parliament but unable to assume their roles due to President Nawrocki's refusal to administer them. These five judges had previously sworn in parliament, yet President Swięczkowski barred them from entering the premises. Anticipated tensions are set to escalate again on Tuesday when Korwin-Piotrowska convenes a general assembly of all constitutional judges.

This assembly can, among other actions, consent to the prosecution of constitutional judges and determine if a judge should be retired due to permanent incapacity.