Deepening Crisis Surrounding Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal
On October 30, 2026, tensions erupted sharply around Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal when judges appointed by the ruling coalition voted to suspend both the Tribunal’s head, Bogdan Święczkowski, and his deputy, Bartłomiej Sochański, for one month. This move sparked protests outside the Tribunal’s Warsaw headquarters, prompting police to secure the site. In response to the unfolding turmoil, President Karol Nawrocki abruptly canceled his trip to Senegal and returned home.
Acting Tribunal Chair Anna Korwin-Piotrowska issued the suspension orders for Święczkowski and Sochański, citing threats to the judges’ safety and risks to public order, and called on law enforcement for protection. Meanwhile, Justice Minister and Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek submitted five formal requests to strip the two suspended officials of their immunity, compiling 224 pages across 50 volumes of evidence.
Political Fallout and Public Demonstrations
The protests gathered prominent political figures including Jarosław Kaczyński, Mateusz Morawiecki, Julia Przyłębska, and Bogdan Święczkowski himself, who managed to enter the Tribunal’s premises despite a damaged gate lock. The dispute, which had been intensifying for weeks, centers on the legitimacy of certain judges, the oath-taking process, and the Tribunal’s budget plan for 2027.
On October 14, 2026, Maciej Berek was appointed as a Tribunal judge and took his oath in the office of the Sejm Marshal without the president’s presence, adding fuel to the controversy. Additionally, Sejm Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty refused to submit the Tribunal’s financial plan, citing the absence of approval by the full assembly of judges.
Supporters of Święczkowski accuse the government of orchestrating a coup. Bartłomiej Sochański declared that those involved are committing
“the crime of a state coup”and condemned
“the ostentatious use of force”. On the other side, Waldemar Żurek stated that
“the attack on the Tribunal has been ongoing for several years.”
Upon his return, President Nawrocki scheduled a meeting with Zbigniew Kapiński, the first head of the Supreme Court. However, the State Protection Service has advised against the president traveling directly from the airport to the Tribunal due to inadequate security measures.
This crisis has stirred widespread public concern as it touches on fundamental issues of judicial independence, the rule of law, and democratic governance in Poland. The escalating conflict reveals deep divisions between branches of government and society, raising questions about the country’s political stability. Observers warn that the outcome of this standoff could significantly influence Poland’s democratic trajectory moving forward.