Poland judicial crisis: Judge suspends top court chiefs, President cuts short flight home

A sudden decision to suspend the president and vice president of Poland's Constitutional Tribunal has triggered a political and judicial confrontation, with protests breaking out in the capital and President Karol Nawrocki cutting short his overseas trip to return home.

The development unfolded on Friday evening, October 30, when a notice appeared on the court's website announcing the suspension of Tribunal President Bogdan Swieczkowski and Vice President Bartlomiej Sochanski. The order was issued by Judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska, who said the move was necessary to restore the rule of law. As the court's longest-serving judge, she announced that she would take charge of the institution.

The court's website went offline shortly after the announcement, while police barricaded the building and deployed riot-control personnel.

President returns, protesters gather outside court

Nawrocki was travelling to Senegal when the news emerged. He decided to cut short his journey and return to Poland, explaining his decision in a post on X.

"At a moment like this, the President must be in Poland. I am cutting short my flight to Senegal. I am returning," he wrote.

Dozens of protesters gathered outside the Tribunal, opposing the removal of its leadership. Some demonstrators raised slogans against Prime Minister Donald Tusk, including "Tusk traitor". The Tribunal's official X account described the developments as a "coup d'etat".

Early on Saturday, Nawrocki's chief of staff, Pawel Szefernaker, confirmed that the President had entered the court building alongside Supreme Court First President Zbigniew Kapinski.

The developments also prompted Poland's Ambassador to China, Jakub Kumoch, to resign. Announcing his decision on X, he said he could no longer continue representing the country.

"In light of the events in the country, I have concluded that it is no longer possible for me to continue serving as the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland. As of today, I have submitted my resignation and a request for recall," he wrote.

Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski responded: "I acknowledge the unprofessional conclusion of your mission. You no longer represent the Republic," he said.

Why Poland's judiciary is at the centre of a political battle

The latest confrontation is rooted in a prolonged dispute over judicial appointments and institutional independence. The national-conservative Law and Justice party (PiS), which governed Poland from 2015 to 2023, faced criticism from domestic opponents and the European Union over reforms that allegedly increased political influence over the judiciary.

Tusk's pro-European government, which took office in 2023, pledged to restore judicial independence. However, its efforts have repeatedly faced resistance from presidents aligned with PiS, including Nawrocki.

The government has also sought to remove judges appointed under PiS and accused Swieczkowski of obstructing judges selected by the parliamentary majority.

Tusk defended his government's approach in a post on X on Friday.

"Restoring the rule of law is our obligation. After years of lawlessness under PiS, this is a difficult process, sometimes painful, and it requires decisive action. There is no other way."

PiS leaders rejected the suspension. Former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro called it an attack on the country's constitutional order.

"This is a blatant, criminal attack on the constitutional order. That is why I call for resistance that will be loud, firm, solidary and fearless," he wrote on X.