Ousted Polish Constitutional Tribunal head speaks of a "coup d'état"

Bogdan Święczkowski, president of Poland's Constitutional Tribunal (the country's top court for constitutional review), whom the government regards as removed from office, said in an early Saturday morning speech outside the institution's building that an attempted "coup d'état" is under way in the country. It is the latest turn in a dispute over who lawfully leads the court, reported by the Ukrainian outlet European Pravda, citing Polish broadcaster RMF FM.

Święczkowski's statements

He argued that the Tribunal consists of judges appointed in line with the law, not of "usurpers" who got in through the "back door" escorted by government guards and surrounded themselves with a police cordon out of fear of the Polish people. Those present shouted "Shame".

He described the events as an attack on a constitutional state body and a coup, stressing that no authority can be a judge in its own case or appoint judges to its liking. In his view, the government's actions against an independent constitutional court exclude Poland from the circle of democratic states governed by the rule of law and discredit the country, not only its government. Judicial independence, he said, guarantees citizens that their rights and freedoms will be protected from abuse.

He thanked President Karol Nawrocki, First President of the Supreme Court Zbigniew Kapiński and various lawyers for their support.

Sequence of events

On Friday, a notice appeared on the Tribunal's website announcing the suspension of Święczkowski and his deputy, Bartłomiej Sochański. The Tribunal's profile on X, by contrast, stated that the website had been seized and that the president continues to perform his duties.

Overnight into Saturday, an opposition rally gathered at the building. Protesters, including Law and Justice party leader Jarosław Kaczyński, broke down the gates and tried to enter the court building. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski defended the police action, saying its aim was to allow lawfully chosen judges to resume the institution's work.