Poland appoints new constitutional tribunal judge and KRS chair

The Polish Sejm elected Dr hab. Sławomir Patyra as a new judge of the Constitutional Tribunal, filling the vacancy left by Andrzej Zielonacki whose term ends on 28 June. Patyra received 235 votes in favour, 184 against and five abstentions, while the PiS‑nominated candidate Artur Kotowski was rejected.

In parallel, the newly constituted Krajowa Rada Sądownictwa (KRS) held its first meeting on 11 June. Former judge Dariusz Zawistowski was chosen as the council’s chair. The council’s 15 judicial members, selected by the Sejm in May, include 13 candidates backed by the governing coalition and two opposition figures – former deputy justice minister Łukasz Piebiak (PiS) and Łukasz Zawadzki (Confederation). The appointment process has drawn legal criticism, with the former KRS chair Dagmara Pawełczyk‑Woicka resigning over alleged procedural violations and the President’s office awaiting decisions on vacant tribunal seats. Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek reiterated the government’s commitment to restoring the Tribunal’s functioning and emphasized respect for the rule of law.