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Poland Constitutional Tribunal crisis escalates over judge appointment
Poland is facing a significant constitutional crisis centered on the appointment and swearing-in of Maciej Berek as a judge of the Constitutional Tribunal. Although Berek took his oath before the Speaker of the Sejm, Constitutional Tribunal President Bogdan Święczkowski has refused to recognize the appointment, citing the necessity of a presidential oath. This dispute led to physical confrontations between protesters and police at the Tribunal, resulting in three arrests.
The tension escalated when a prosecutor, Andrzej Piaseczny, attempted to search the Tribunal's premises. President of the Tribunal Bogdan Święczkowski described the move as a provocative raid but complied by voluntarily handing over requested documents. Meanwhile, Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek has criticized the President's refusal to accept the oath, arguing that the President cannot unilaterally block parliamentary decisions.
In parallel legislative developments, President Karol Nawrocki has exercised his veto power on three laws, including amendments to the Electoral Code and regulations regarding political advertising. He also signed several other laws, including those concerning energy market security and water management regulations.
Entities
Bogdan Święczkowski · Constitutional Tribunal · Donald Tusk · Karol Nawrocki · Maciej Berek · Sejm · Trybunał Konstytucyjny
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 21 SOURCES] The Sejm elected Maciej Berek as a judge of the Constitutional Tribunal in September. www.gazetaprawna.pl · wiadomosci.dziennik.pl · wyborcza.pl · www.radiopik.pl · nos.nl · +4 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Judge Maciej Berek plans to file a notification with the prosecutor's office regarding an alleged violation of his physical integrity. wyborcza.pl · natemat.pl
- [● 2 SOURCES] PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński characterized the actions regarding the Tribunal as a coup attempt. www.gazetaprawna.pl
- [● 19 SOURCES] Maciej Berek took his judicial oath in the Sejm using the formula ‘before the president’ due to the president's absence. www.gazetaprawna.pl · wiadomosci.dziennik.pl · nos.nl · nczas.info · www.salon24.pl · +3 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] Constitutional Tribunal President Bogdan Święczkowski denied allegations that he used force against Maciej Berek and stated Berek has not yet been admitted to adjudicate. www.gazetaprawna.pl · dziennik-polityczny.com · www.salon24.pl · wyborcza.pl · natemat.pl
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Venice Commission indicated that a judicial oath can be taken without the physical presence of the president. ztuba.pl
- [● 5 SOURCES] Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused President Karol Nawrocki of abdicating his constitutional duties by refusing to accept the oath of new judges.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Minister of Justice Waldemar Żurek requested the national prosecutor investigate protesters for potential criminal activities following incidents at the Tribunal. dziennik-polityczny.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Ministry of Interior and Administration granted State Protection Service (SOP) security to two Constitutional Tribunal judges. nczas.info
- [○ 1 SOURCE] PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński characterized the use of force regarding the Tribunal as a coup attempt. www.gazetaprawna.pl
- [● 5 SOURCES] President Karol Nawrocki canceled a planned visit to Slovenia due to the crisis surrounding the Constitutional Tribunal. www.radiopik.pl · nczas.info
- [● 4 SOURCES] Police detained three individuals during protests at the Constitutional Tribunal. dziennik-polityczny.com