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Maciej Berek Constitutional Tribunal appointment sparks legal dispute
A political dispute has emerged in Poland following the Sejm's election of Maciej Berek as a judge of the Constitutional Tribunal on September 4, 2026. The election, which secured 226 votes, has been met with formal challenges from the Presidential Chancellery.
Zbigniew Bogucki, Head of the Presidential Chancellery, has raised significant doubts regarding whether Berek meets the statutory requirement of 10 years of professional experience as a legal counsel. Bogucki has requested documentation to verify these qualifications, arguing that a mere entry on a legal counsel list does not prove actual practice.
The Sejm Chancellery, through Marek Siwiec, has rejected these requests, stating that the demand for such documents lacks a legal basis and that the election was conducted correctly. Speaker of the Sejm Włodzimierz Czarzasty has maintained that the President cannot legally contest the Sejm's decision and has called for Berek to be sworn in.
Internal tensions are high, with Minister of Interior and Administration Marcin Kierwiński dismissing the Presidential Chancellery's concerns. Meanwhile, former Constitutional Tribunal President Jerzy Stępień has commented on the conflict, noting that while the President cannot challenge the appointment, the refusal to provide public information regarding the verification process could lead to legal proceedings.
Entities
Bogdan Święczkowski · Constitutional Tribunal · Karol Nawrocki · Maciej Berek · Marek Siwiec · Sejm · Włodzimierz Czarzasty · Zbigniew Bogucki
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 9 SOURCES] There are significant doubts regarding whether Maciej Berek meets the required 10-year professional experience as a legal counsel. razydzisiaj.pl · dzienniknarodowy.pl · dorzeczy.pl · dziennik-polityczny.com · polityka.co.pl · +4 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Sejm's election of Maciej Berek as a Constitutional Tribunal judge was legally valid. razydzisiaj.pl · dorzeczy.pl · dziennik-polityczny.com · niezalezna.pl · www.fakt.pl
- [● 3 SOURCES] Speaker of the Sejm Włodzimierz Czarzasty argued that the President cannot legally contest the Sejm's decision to elect Berek. www.fakt.pl · wiadomosci.onet.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Constitutional Tribunal President Bogdan Święczkowski stated he would accept Berek if the President administers the oath.
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Sejm elected Maciej Berek as a Constitutional Tribunal judge on September 4, 2026, with 226 votes. dzienniknarodowy.pl · dorzeczy.pl · dziennik-polityczny.com · polityka.co.pl · www.fakt.pl
- [● 2 SOURCES] Minister Marcin Kierwiński rejected the Presidential Chancellery's objections to Berek's appointment, suggesting the official express opinions privately. dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl
- [● 2 SOURCES] Former Constitutional Tribunal President Jerzy Stępień stated that the President lacks the authority to challenge Berek's appointment. www.fakt.pl · www.wprost.pl