Poland Constitutional Tribunal dispute intensifies amid protests

Constitutional Tribunal Polish judiciary crisis Maciej Berek political protests legal dispute

Poland is experiencing intensified political and legal conflict surrounding the Constitutional Tribunal. Tensions escalated following the swearing-in of Maciej Berek in the Sejm, an event that triggered demonstrations and clashes with police. The controversy involves disputes over the legitimacy of judicial appointments and the authority of the President versus the Sejm.

Legal and political figures have expressed sharply conflicting views. Former Constitutional Tribunal President Bohdan Zdziennicki warned of potential state anarchy, while Andrzej Szlęzak argued that the judiciary is being degraded for political purposes. Conversely, Professor Ewa Łętowska stated that the Tribunal is not under attack but is instead facing a crisis of prestige and authority due to political maneuvering.

In a related incident, a man identified as Piotr W. was detained in Warsaw following an alleged attack on a police officer during protests near the Tribunal. While prosecutors sought a one-month temporary arrest, the District Court for Warsaw-Śródmieście denied the motion, citing a lack of necessity for preventive measures.

Entities

Adam Bielan · Bogdan Święczkowski · Constitutional Tribunal · Constitutional Tribunal of Poland · Donald Trump · Donald Tusk · European Association of Judges · Ewa Łętowska · Jarosław Kaczyński · Law and Justice · Maciej Berek · PiS

Claims

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

[○ 1 SOURCE] Activists accuse zoo intervention participants of conspiracy to misappropriate property and animal smuggling.
[● 5 SOURCES] A protester was detained during a demonstration at the Constitutional Tribunal. niepoprawni.pl · www.polsatnews.pl
[○ 1 SOURCE] Judges in Warsaw were instructed to remain on full availability due to expected mass detentions.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Piotr Walter and Wojciech Nasiadek filed criminal notifications regarding the Łączna Zoo intervention.
[● 7 SOURCES] A man attacked a police officer during an intervention. niepoprawni.pl · www.polsatnews.pl · zachod.pl
[● 2 SOURCES] The European Association of Judges stated that the Polish Constitutional Tribunal is currently unable to function properly.
[● 2 SOURCES] The EAJ holds that the President of Poland and the President of the Constitutional Tribunal have caused a constitutional crisis.
[● 2 SOURCES] No other NATO member state has experienced similar scenes outside its Constitutional Tribunal.
[● 2 SOURCES] Five judges elected by the Sejm are currently prevented from taking up their positions due to obstructionist actions.
[● 2 SOURCES] The European Court of Human Rights issued an interim measure in May 2026 ordering Poland to stop obstructing judges from taking office.
[● 2 SOURCES] The Venice Commission emphasized the necessity of allowing properly elected judges to perform their duties during its October 2026 session.
[○ 1 SOURCE] It is essential to remove the chairman of the Constitutional Tribunal, Bogdan Święczkowski, whom he considers to be functioning illegally.