Poland’s top court reels as judges move to suspend its leadership amid Trump-era-style law-and-order backlash in Poland
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Judges barred from hearing cases suspended Constitutional Tribunal president Bogdan Święczkowski and his deputy, triggering protests, police clashes, and accusations of a coup as Prime Minister Donald Tusk pushes to undo the damage of PiS’s judicial capture.
Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal descended into chaos on Friday evening when a judge barred from hearing cases ordered the suspension of its president, Bogdan Święczkowski, and his deputy for a month, and announced she would take over leadership. Święczkowski denounced the move as a “coup d’état,” while his deputy was blocked at the building’s gates, underscoring how deeply the institution has been poisoned by years of political manipulation.
The incident marks another escalation in Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s effort to reverse the reactionary changes imposed by the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) former government, which packed the court with loyal appointees during its eight-year rule. The tribunal, which can strike down legislation, had already upheld a near-total abortion ban and challenged EU law supremacy, actions that led the European Court of Justice to rule that it failed to meet standards of judicial independence.
Outside the court, protesters clashed with police after objects were thrown at officers and three people were detained for climbing the fence. Police said they were deployed to protect judges and staff after receiving threats, though they did not enter the building, highlighting the toxic atmosphere surrounding the institution.
PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński joined the protest, tried to enter the tribunal, and accused Tusk of staging a “coup” and turning Poland into a “police state,” while calling for presidential intervention. President Karol Nawrocki, a PiS ally, cut short an official trip to Senegal, saying, “At a moment like this, the president must be in Poland.”
Tusk responded on X, writing, “Restoring the rule of law is our duty. After years of PiS lawlessness, it’s a difficult, sometimes painful process that requires decisive action. There is no other way.”
Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek blamed Święczkowski for turning the institution into a “private fiefdom” and blocking newly elected judges from carrying out their duties. He said he had submitted five requests to lift the immunity of Święczkowski and his deputy, backed by extensive case files, and defended the suspending judge’s action as legally appointed, insisting the government was not involved.