Poland's Constitutional Tribunal faces reform and political tension

Poland's Constitutional Tribunal is facing significant institutional upheaval amid planned reforms and escalating political tensions. A reform scheduled for this autumn aims to establish a new judicial majority and potentially change the tribunal's leadership. These changes may introduce disciplinary proceedings that could affect retired judges.

Krystyna Pawłowicz, a former judge who entered retirement in December 2025, faces scrutiny over her active political commentary on social media, which some experts suggest could lead to a reduction in her pension.

Simultaneously, tensions have risen following an incident on July 14, where police and prosecutors entered the Tribunal's headquarters after certain individuals elected by the Sejm were denied entry. Tribunal President Bogdan Święczkowski has notified the National Prosecutor's Office, alleging the intervention was an attempt to exert pressure on the institution. This conflict has fueled political warnings from the Law and Justice party regarding potential constitutional crises and the misuse of judicial mechanisms against state leadership.