Maciej Berek takes oath as Constitutional Tribunal judge in Sejm

Maciej Berek Constitutional Tribunal Włodzimierz Czarzasty Karol Nawrocki Poland rule of law

Maciej Berek, a former minister, officially took his oath of office as a judge of the Constitutional Tribunal during a ceremony held in the Sejm on October 14. The ceremony was organized by Sejm Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty after President Karol Nawrocki declined to host the event or accept the oath.

Berek stated that the oath was addressed to the President and conducted in a legally permissible form, citing a Venice Commission opinion which suggests that if a President refuses or delays an oath, the process can be completed without their physical presence. The President's office has contested this, raising doubts regarding whether Berek meets the required 10-year legal professional experience requirement.

The event drew sharp political reactions. Sejm Marshal Czarzasty criticized the President's stance as “scandalous” and signaled that the government would take swift action to restore the rule of law. Conversely, officials from the President's office and Law and Justice (PiS) politicians described the ceremony as a “comedy” and a “farce” that lacks connection to democracy and the rule of law.

Entities

Constitutional Tribunal · Karol Nawrocki · Maciej Berek · Sejm · Trybunał Konstytucyjny · Venice Commission · Włodzimierz Czarzasty

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Maciej Berek stated that the Sejm Marshal is an appropriate organizer if the President refuses to host the ceremony. niezalezna.pl
[● 3 SOURCES] The Sejm elected Maciej Berek as a judge of the Constitutional Tribunal on September 4. wiadomosci.gazeta.pl
[○ 1 SOURCE] Sejm Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty stated that the government has had enough of law-breaking regarding the Constitutional Tribunal. www.rmf24.pl
[● 2 SOURCES] The Venice Commission opined that if a President refuses or delays a judge's oath, the oath can be completed without the President's physical presence. www.rmf24.pl
[● 3 SOURCES] The President's office raised doubts regarding whether Maciej Berek meets the required 10-year legal professional experience. wiadomosci.gazeta.pl
[● 2 SOURCES] Zbigniew Bogucki described the oath-taking ceremony as a comedy that lacks connection to the rule of law or democracy. wiadomosci.gazeta.pl