Polish president turned his plane back due to judicial conflict
In Poland, the decision to temporarily suspend the heads of the Constitutional Tribunal has escalated the political conflict. In Warsaw, the court building was surrounded by police, while President Karol Nawrocki suspended his flight to Senegal and urgently returned to the country.
Polish president turns his plane back due to court conflict
According to DW, on October 30, judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska announced the suspension of the President of the Constitutional Tribunal, Bogdan Święczkowski, and his deputy, Bartłomiej Sochański, from performing their official duties for a period of one month.
The decision notes that the leaders prevented judges elected by parliament in 2026 and sworn in from participating in hearing cases. Korwin-Piotrowska explained her authority through a legal provision allowing the person with the longest judicial tenure to replace the head of the tribunal. She also convened a general meeting of judges for November 3.
Sochański, however, did not recognize the decision and called the events a "coup d'état." According to him, he was unaware of any legal basis that would allow for his removal from office.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk supported the temporary suspension of the tribunal leaders. He explained this as part of the process of restoring the rule of law, stating the need for decisive action.
President Nawrocki, meanwhile, cut short his trip to Senegal due to the events. The presidential administration officially confirmed his decision to return to Poland. Upon returning to the country, he met with Święczkowski and the First President of the Supreme Court, Zbigniew Kapiński, and then entered the tribunal building accompanied by Kapiński.
Demonstrators gathered around the building. Warsaw police stated that they cordoned off the area following reports of a potential threat to the safety of judges and staff, but did not enter the building. According to police, three people were detained for climbing over the fence and entering the tribunal grounds.
At the heart of the conflict lies a disagreement between the Tusk government and Nawrocki regarding the recognition of the powers of new judges. The president refused to swear in certain judges elected by parliament, and the head of the tribunal did not allow them to hear cases.
Additionally, Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek announced on October 30 that he had submitted five motions to lift the immunity of judges. Among them are requests concerning the head of the tribunal and his deputy.