Poland’s Minister of Justice, Waldemar Żurek, has intervened in a controversy surrounding the State Tribunal, seeking explanations from the prosecutor’s office over an altercation during a session.
Background of the Controversy
The turmoil began at a September 3 session of the State Tribunal, which was meant to discuss the immunity of Małgorzata Manowska, the First President of the Supreme Court. A decision by three judges to exclude 12 members of the Tribunal from the proceedings sparked a heated dispute.
The Altercation
The excluded judges appeared at the session, demanding to participate and take their seats. This led to a confrontation, with 16 people, including judges from both sides, present in the courtroom. The situation escalated into a physical altercation, with a chair being pushed and a judge’s personal integrity being violated.
Aftermath and Reactions
The controversy continued with disputes over the validity of decisions and the future of the Tribunal. Minister of Justice Żurek has expressed support for changes to the Tribunal’s regulations, aiming to prevent such incidents and ensure the institution’s functionality.
Potential Reforms
Some members of the Tribunal, including Jacek Dubois and Przemysław Rosati, plan to submit a formal request to convene a full session to adopt new regulations. Żurek has voiced his support for the proposed changes, emphasizing the need to prevent the Tribunal from being paralyzed.
