Poland’s Supreme Court will reconsider a decision denying access to the meeting schedule of First President Małgorzata Manowska, following a complaint by Watchdog Polska.
Initial Request and Supreme Court Ruling
In September of last year, Sieć Obywatelska Watchdog Polska requested access to the meeting calendar of Małgorzata Manowska for the period of May 1st to September 15th, 2025. The Supreme Court initially refused to provide this data, stating it did not constitute public information.
Administrative Court Orders Reconsideration
Watchdog Polska subsequently filed a complaint with the Wojewódzki Sąd Administracyjny (Administrative Court) in Warsaw, arguing that citizens have a right to information about the activities of public authorities and officials. The administrative court has now ordered the Supreme Court to review the request.
Court Sides with Watchdog Polska
According to “Rzeczpospolita,” the Wojewódzki Sąd Administracyjny in Warsaw obligated Manowska on March 5th to consider the request for public information within fourteen days of receiving the final judgment and case files.
Potential Appeal and Justification for Request
The Supreme Court has not yet received the reasoning behind the ruling, leaving open the possibility of an appeal to the Naczelny Sąd Administracyjny (Supreme Administrative Court). Szymon Osowski, president of Sieć Obywatelska Watchdog Polska, stated the organization sought to determine if meetings with politicians were indeed taking place, emphasizing the need for transparency.
Manowska’s Impeachment Proceedings
In July of last year, the National Prosecutor’s Office initiated proceedings to remove Małgorzata Manowska’s immunity before the Chamber of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court and the State Tribunal. The prosecution seeks to charge Manowska with exceeding her authority and failing to fulfill her duties, including failing to convene a full session of the State Tribunal and validating votes of the Supreme Court’s Collegium despite a lack of quorum.
The State Tribunal initially dismissed the proceedings on September 18, 2025, but the National Prosecutor’s Office filed a renewed request for the lifting of Manowska’s immunity on September 30th.
Controversies Surrounding Manowska’s Appointment
Małgorzata Manowska’s six-year term ends on May 26th. Her appointment as First President of the Supreme Court was controversial from the outset. She was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2018 based on a nomination from the so-called “new” National Council of the Judiciary, leading many legal professionals to consider her a “neosędzia” (new judge).
Despite Włodzimierz Wróbel receiving the most votes in the 2020 General Assembly of Supreme Court Judges for the position of First President, President Andrzej Duda chose to appoint Manowska.
Relationship with President Duda
In a January 2024 interview with Radio ZET, Małgorzata Manowska acknowledged a 17-year acquaintance with President Andrzej Duda, stating they had maintained a private relationship, including visits to each other’s homes, and describing their connection as a friendship.
