A group of government-appointed judges has suspended the president of Poland's constitutional court, Bogdan Święczkowski, and his deputy, Bartłomiej Sochański. Prime Minister Donald Tusk defended the removal as a move to restore the rule of law, following a long-running dispute over the politicization of the tribunal under the former government. The action is the latest escalation in a decade-long row over the court's legal status and legitimacy.
The suspension sparked immediate unrest on Friday night, with anti-government protesters gathering to denounce the pro-European Cabinet's actions as unlawful. Riot police stepped up security and surrounded the court building, leading to a tense standoff. Several people were detained after some demonstrators breached the perimeter fence.
The crisis prompted President Karol Nawrocki to cut short a visit to Senegal, turning his plane around mid-flight to return to Poland. Nawrocki, who has refused to swear in judges elected by parliament, was seen struggling to gain entry to the court building amid the conflict.
This confrontation marks a significant showdown between the current government and the nationalist opposition ahead of parliamentary elections next year. As the feud with the right-wing party that previously held power intensifies, no compromise appears to be in sight.