President Karol Nawrocki acted on his own authority when appointing Judge Zbigniew Kapiński as First President of the Supreme Court, rejecting claims of external political influence or pressure, his spokesperson stated Tuesday.
Independence of Presidential Decision-Making
On Monday, May 25, the appointment of Judge Kapiński was announced. Presidential spokesperson Rafał Leśkiewicz emphasized that President Nawrocki exercised his constitutional prerogative without yielding to suggestions or prompts from any political faction. He noted that the President evaluated the candidate based on his professional merits and track record.
Leśkiewicz asserted that the President takes full responsibility for his nominations. He highlighted that Kapiński’s appointment was influenced by several factors, including the judge’s extensive experience and the fact that he received the most votes during the Supreme Court’s General Assembly in February.
Relationship with PiS Leadership
Addressing concerns regarding Jarosław Kaczyński’s opposition to the appointment, Leśkiewicz stated that while the President respects Kaczyński, the final decision remains his own. He cautioned against searching for hidden motives, framing the appointment as a sovereign and autonomous act.
The spokesperson declined to comment on whether the Law and Justice (PiS) leader was informed of the decision prior to the public announcement, stating that the Chancellery operates legally and informs the public according to standard procedures.
The 2000 Lustrations Ruling Controversy
The controversy stems from Kapiński’s participation in a 2000 ruling that cleared Lech Wałęsa of being a communist-era secret police collaborator. Leśkiewicz acknowledged that while today there is no doubt regarding Wałęsa’s history, the court’s decision at the time was based on the evidence available before the “Kiszczak cupboard” materials were discovered in 2016.
Judge Kapiński himself defended the 2000 verdict, explaining it was a reliable analysis of the evidence present at that time. He noted that the discovery of key documents years later provided new light, but those materials were not accessible to the court during the original proceedings.
Response to Internal Criticism
Leśkiewicz also addressed comments by Professor Sławomir Cenckiewicz, who labeled the appointment a “terrible mistake.” The spokesperson emphasized that such disagreements do not signify a rift, affirming that the President respects differing opinions while maintaining that Kapiński’s career achievements justified the selection.
