Newly appointed judges of Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal entered the building on Friday, despite a lack of full recognition from the President and current leadership.
Disputed Appointments and Entry to Tribunal
The new judges arrived together by bus, awaiting the opening of the gates while surrounded by police. All judges ultimately entered the building after 12:00 PM.
The appointments have been met with controversy, as several judges waited weeks for an oath-taking ceremony before President Karol Nawrocki. Ultimately, only Magdalena Bentkowska and Dariusz Szostek, recommended by PSL and Polska 2050, received invitations and swore their oaths at the Presidential Palace on April 3rd.
Independent Oath-Taking in Parliament
The remaining judges – Marcin Dziurda, Anna Korwin-Piotrowska, Krystian Markiewicz, and Maciej Taborowski – took the initiative and invited Nawrocki to the Sejm on April 9th to administer their oaths and begin work. The oath-taking ceremony was held in the Column Hall, attended by former Tribunal heads, and parliamentary marshals.
Despite the invitation, the President did not attend. Both Bentkowska and Szostek also participated in the oath-taking ceremony in the Sejm.
Rejection of Sejm Oath and Blocking Plans
The President, the Tribunal’s President, and the PiS party do not recognize the oath taken in the Sejm and reportedly have a plan to block the staffing of the Tribunal.
Judges Insist on Fulfilling Duties
The judges stated their intention to report for work, emphasizing it as their obligation. Police were present outside the Tribunal building due to concerns about potential protests, though no gatherings occurred.
Constitutional Concerns Raised
One judge argued that those sworn in by the President who participated in the Sejm ceremony had violated the constitution, deeming the event unconstitutional.
Access and Conditions Inside the Tribunal
During a press briefing, Krystian Markiewicz stated that they were able to enter the building without issue and were provided with adequate conditions, including a shared room. Bentkowska and Szostek have separate offices.
The judges submitted a letter to Tribunal President Bogdan Święczkowski requesting permission to fulfill their duties, urging him to fulfill his obligation.
Tribunal President’s Response
Bogdan Święczkowski stated he met with the two judges sworn in by the President and the four others selected for the positions. He confirmed that the two who took their oaths before the President had assumed office, while the remaining four had not.
Święczkowski stated he could not recognize the event in the Sejm as an oath-taking before the President unless informed otherwise. He added that the four judges are welcome to visit the Tribunal, use the library, and submit documents.