On Tuesday, outgoing First President of the Supreme Court Małgorzata Manowska met with her successor, Zbigniew Kapiński, offering him professional advice as he prepares to assume the leadership role this Wednesday.
The Transition of Power
On Tuesday, May 26, Małgorzata Manowska appeared at a press briefing alongside her successor, Zbigniew Kapiński. Kapiński expressed his intent to defend the independence of the Supreme Court, ensuring it remains free from political influence regardless of the governing party’s stance.
Kapiński thanked Manowska for her service, offering well wishes for her future endeavors and personal plans, acknowledging the significant burden she carried during her tenure as First President.
Manowska’s Three Rules for Survival
Outlining her advice for his new role, Manowska emphasized the importance of strictly adhering to the law as written rather than relying on subjective interpretations. She also urged him to prioritize respecting all employees, noting that they are the primary support system during difficult times.
Her final piece of advice was to ignore online commentary and detractors. She described such critics as emotionally deficient, crediting this disciplined detachment as the primary reason she was able to survive the pressures of her term.
The Appointment Process
Presidential spokesperson Rafał Leśkiewicz confirmed that President Andrzej Duda appointed Kapiński following a selection process involving five candidates vetted by the Supreme Court’s General Assembly. Kapiński received the highest support, securing 18 votes compared to the 8 to 13 votes received by the other candidates.
The selection procedure spanned four days across several months due to initial quorum issues. The final list of candidates, approved on February 27, included judges appointed to the Supreme Court following the 2017 judicial reforms: Paweł Czubik, Tomasz Demendecki, Zbigniew Kapiński, Aleksander Stępkowski, and Mariusz Załucki.
