Polish President Karol Nawrocki met party leaders after the Constitutional Tribunal chief was suspended. Donald Tusk’s Civic Coalition stayed away, although some governing partners attended. The consultations bring the presidency into the immediate response to the court confrontation, while the European Commission urged acceptance of disputed judicial appointments.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki held consultations with political leaders on October 31 after a confrontation over the Constitutional Tribunal, Poland’s highest court for constitutional questions. The meetings followed the suspension of its chief, Bogdan Swieczkowski, the previous day. Nawrocki described the suspension as a threat to internal security and said it warranted urgent consultations at the presidential palace.[1], [2]
Representatives of nationalist and far-right parties attended, along with some members of the governing coalition. Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s centrist Civic Coalition did not participate. In a speech that evening, Tusk accused conservative nationalist opposition leaders of seeking to destroy democracy and the rule of law. Supporters of Law and Justice, the nationalist opposition party, continued demonstrations outside the tribunal on Saturday.[1]
The European Commission urged Nawrocki to accept the appointment of new judges. He has blocked nominations during his presidency. Tusk argues that politicisation of the judiciary began under the previous Law and Justice government and defended the suspension as necessary to restore the rule of law. The tribunal’s official account called the action a coup. US Ambassador Tom Rose appealed for calm from all sides.[1]
