Żurek Accuses President Nawrocki of Breaking the Law Over Constitutional Tribunal Swearing-In

Speaking on TVP Info on Tuesday, August 4, Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek stated that President Karol Nawrocki broke the law by vetting judges and failing to administer the oath of office to all members of the Constitutional Tribunal.

Accountability for Lawbreakers

Żurek stated that the authority of the Constitutional Tribunal cannot be effectively rebuilt without holding accountable those who violated regulations. He emphasized his desire for individuals who broke the law to face legal responsibility, noting that this scenario is currently being implemented.

Presidential Vetting of Judges

Addressing President Karol Nawrocki’s decision not to administer the oath of office to certain judges chosen by the Sejm, Żurek declared that the president tangled himself in the matter. He pointed out that Nawrocki investigated the biographies of specific judges, thereby breaking the law and making himself liable to face consequences.

Status of Tribunal Appointments

On July 28, Nawrocki administered the oath to Sławomir Patyra, following earlier oaths taken by Dariusz Szostek and Magdalena Bentkowska from a group of six judges chosen in March. However, the president has still not sworn in Krystiana Markiewicz, Maciej Taborowski, Marcin Dziurda, and Anna Korwin-Piotrowska, while Tribunal President Bogdan Święczkowski bars them from adjudicating.

Professor Sadurski’s Proposal

In July, legal scholar Professor Wojciech Sadurski suggested that seven Constitutional Tribunal judges chosen by the current Sejm could form a new, legal tribunal, adding that two incumbent PiS-nominee judges might switch sides. While familiar with this concept, Justice Minister Żurek remarked that such a solution could only be considered as an alternative plan, stressing that he does not want the law to yield to lawlessness.