Polish President Navigates Protests Amid 'Coup' Claims at Top Court

Polish President Karol Nawrocki had to push through crowds of protesters to enter the country's top court, the Constitutional Tribunal in Warsaw, amidst claims of a "coup d'etat." Hundreds of demonstrators surrounded the court late Friday night, chanting "Tusk traitor" in protest of the suspension of the court's chief judge, Bogdan Swieczkowski.

Riot police were deployed to guard the entrance to the tribunal as the standoff escalated. President Nawrocki had reportedly abandoned an official trip to Senegal mid-flight due to the developing situation and ordered his plane back to the Polish capital. Upon arrival, he was seen being ushered through the crowds by security guards.

The protesters were largely supporters of the opposition Right-wing Law and Justice party (PiS), which had appointed the judges now facing dismissal. The court's official social media account on X stated that a "coup d'etat" had occurred and that Swieczkowski remained in office.

Demonstrators expressed their anger, with one protester, Tomasz Zaleski, telling AFP that Prime Minister Donald Tusk was "trampling on our constitutional rights." Police reported arresting three individuals who attempted to breach security barricades and enter the court complex.

Political Battle Over the Judiciary

Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government, which won an election in 2023, has been attempting to remove judges appointed by the previous PiS administration that governed from 2015 to 2023. The Constitutional Tribunal had frequently ruled in favor of Polish legislation over EU law, drawing criticism from the European Union, which accused the court of being too closely aligned with the nationalist government of that era.

Mr. Tusk, a strong proponent of European Union integration, vowed to resolve disputes with Brussels after his election victory. However, the country's president, Karol Nawrocki, described as a right-wing independent, has previously blocked Mr. Tusk's judicial nominations.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the former PiS prime minister, addressed the demonstration and urged President Nawrocki to take action.

Judicial Actions and Confusion

Anna Korwin-Piotrowska, another judge at the tribunal, announced Swieczkowski's suspension, stating it was necessary to restore the rule of law. Justice Minister Waldemar Zurek also announced his request to lift the legal immunity of Swieczkowski and his deputy, Bartlomiej Sochanski, asserting that the court had become "private property" and needed to be restored to proper functioning.

Prime Minister Tusk defended the government's actions, saying, "Restoring the rule of law is our duty. After years of PiS-led lawlessness, this is a difficult process, sometimes painful, and it requires decisive action. There is no other way."

The Constitutional Tribunal's official website was inaccessible on Friday evening. The court's X account reiterated its claim of a "coup d'etat," while noting that Korwin-Piotrowska could not serve as interim chief as she had not been sworn in by the president. Korwin-Piotrowska emphasized the importance of a functioning constitutional court for safeguarding citizens' rights and freedoms in a democratic Europe.