Poland’s Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek responded to claims from the Presidential Chancellery questioning the legality of recent Constitutional Tribunal judge appointments.
Żurek Responds to Bogucki’s Concerns
On Monday evening, Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek addressed the recent selection of six Constitutional Tribunal judges by the Sejm last Friday, whose candidacies were formally submitted by the Sejm Presidium and effectively by the ruling coalition clubs. He was speaking on TVN24’s “Fakty po Faktach.”
When asked when the judges would take office, Żurek stated, “We live in very difficult times. I would have said that they should already be in the Tribunal tomorrow, because they have already been elected.”
Dispute Over Procedural Compliance
Żurek criticized Zbigniew Bogucki, the Head of the Presidential Chancellery, for “completely introducing an error” regarding the appointment process. Bogucki had raised doubts about the Sejm’s procedures, citing issues with candidate submission deadlines, the minimum seven-day period between document delivery and voting, and the presentation of one candidate.
Żurek asserted that the President and his officials are attempting to obstruct the process and that Bogucki’s claims are manipulative, adding that the deadlines could have been shortened by a decision of the Sejm Marshal. He emphasized that the procedure was followed “from A to Z” and that there was no opposition recorded.
Absurdity and Presidential Authority
Żurek described the situation as reaching “absurdity,” suggesting it was as if the Constitutional Tribunal were a personal domain of its President, Bogdan Święczkowski, who decides who can be admitted. He stressed that legal regulations apply and expressed confidence that the appointees would take office.
The Justice Minister also stated that Bogucki “completely does not understand that the President is bound by the law,” and that invoking the idea that the President can do anything is an abuse. He added that, as a new President, the public’s reaction to his decisions remains to be seen.
Rejection of Intimidation
Żurek concluded by stating, “I will not be intimidated by any hints from the President’s officials.”