Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek stated Wednesday he is open to alternative methods for Constitutional Tribunal judges to take their oaths of office.
Justice Minister Discusses Oath-Taking Options
Justice Minister and Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek said in a PAP Studio interview that he allows for different ways for judges of the Constitutional Tribunal to take their oath. He stated that “before the president” no longer necessarily means “directly, face to face, with the president.”
Sejm’s Role in Selecting Judges
When asked by PAP about the invitation extended to Magdalena Bentkowska and Dariusz Szostek, two of the six judges selected by the Sejm, the Minister emphasized that the Sejm decides who becomes a Constitutional Tribunal judge. He added that these judges should still take an oath before the president.
Żurek reiterated that “before the president” may not necessarily mean “directly, face to face, with the president” in the current context.
Remote and Alternative Oath Options Considered
Responding to a question about the possibility of judges taking their oath remotely or in writing, Żurek affirmed that he “certainly allows for such a possibility.” He expressed support for effectiveness and suggested various options, including before Parliament, the Sejm Marshal, or remotely.
Concerns Over Presidential Authority
Żurek noted that historically, presidents have strived to uphold constitutional principles. He believes the President’s Chief of Staff and the President himself may have fallen into a “certain trap,” and that the President is “again trying to usurp some power.”
Legal Framework and Scheduled Events
According to the Act on the Status of Constitutional Tribunal Judges, a person elected to the position of a Constitutional Tribunal judge takes an oath before the President of the Republic of Poland. Magdalena Bentkowska and Dariusz Szostek were invited to the Presidential Palace on Wednesday at 11:00 and 11:30. At 12:00, the Head of the President’s Chancellery, Zbigniew Bogucki, is scheduled to provide details regarding President Karol Nawrocki’s actions concerning the Constitutional Tribunal. (PAP)
