Poland Deploys Police to Constitutional Court Amid Judge Suspension

Polish police have been mobilised outside the Constitutional Tribunal in Warsaw after protests erupted over the suspension of its head judge, Bogdan Swieczkowski. The police intervention followed reports of objects being thrown at officers and concerns regarding public order. Swieczkowski's suspension is part of a broader conflict affecting the court, largely stemming from issues of judicial independence that have escalated since the previous government.

In recent months, Swieczkowski leveraged his position to prevent judges appointed by the current ruling majority from assuming their duties. Following these actions, Minister of Justice Waldemar Żurek requested the lifting of immunity for Swieczkowski and his deputy, citing their failure to enable other judges to perform their roles effectively.

Swieczkowski was originally appointed by the nationalist Law and Justice party (PiS) administration, which has faced criticism for politicising the judiciary. Prime Minister Donald Tusk, leader of the Civic Coalition party, emphasised the importance of restoring legal order in Poland. On social media platform X, Tusk stated, "Restoring the rule of law is our duty. After years of lawlessness under PiS, this process is difficult, at times even painful, and requires decisive action. There is no other way."

As news of the suspension broke, supporters of PiS gathered outside the tribunal. The police reported that three individuals were detained after some among the crowd began launching dangerous projectiles toward law enforcement.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki, allied with PiS, abruptly turned his plane around en route to Senegal, opting to return to Poland amid the ongoing unrest. Since taking office in mid-2025, Nawrocki has refrained from swearing in several judges nominated by the parliament, further complicating the court's situation.

The Constitutional Tribunal has become a focal point of political tension in Poland, with many accusing past PiS administrations of manipulating judicial appointments to favour the party's agenda. International bodies, including courts in the European Union, have previously ruled that the establishment of a PiS-aligned majority in the court compromised its independence, leading to a halt in publishing certain tribunal rulings.

Despite attempts by Tusk’s government to reclaim judicial independence, efforts have repeatedly been thwarted by presidential vetoes. The current tensions underscore the ongoing struggle between the present government, determined to reform the legal system, and the entrenched influences of previous administrations.

Upcoming parliamentary elections are prompting some to interpret Tusk’s actions as a strategy to enhance his political standing among voters concerned with rule of law issues. However, the effectiveness and legality of his government’s moves remain under scrutiny. Anna Korwin-Piotrowska, a judge nominated but not sworn in by Nawrocki, has temporarily assumed leadership responsibilities within the tribunal, as the court becomes increasingly embroiled in this political dispute.

The situation at Poland's Constitutional Tribunal exemplifies ongoing tensions within the country over governance, judicial independence, and the rule of law. Critics warn that the deployment of riot police and actions against court leadership may lead to lasting repercussions for Poland’s judicial integrity.