The President of the Polish Constitutional Tribunal (TK) criticized a recent oath-taking ceremony in the Sejm, deeming it the “worst possible decision.”
Tribunal President Condemns Ceremony
Święczkowski stated he could not recognize the ceremony in the Sejm as a valid oath-taking before the President. He negatively assessed the participation of the newly elected judges during a press conference on April 9th.
He asserted that the judges made the “worst possible decision” by participating in a “media spectacle” orchestrated by politicians, emphasizing his adherence to the constitution and laws regarding the TK’s operations. Consequently, he stated that four of the individuals did not assume office or establish an employment relationship.
Meetings and Appointments
Święczkowski confirmed meeting with all six individuals selected for the position of TK judge and congratulating them on their appointment by the Sejm. He noted that two individuals who took their oath before the President on April 1st have already received their offices and can begin work at the TK.
Oath-Taking in the Sejm
On Thursday, two judges – Dariusz Szostek and Magdalena Bentkowska – had their oaths taken by Karol Nawrocki. Four other newly elected judges – Krystian Markiewicz, Maciej Taborowski, Marcin Dziurda, and Anna Korwin-Piotrowska – have yet to take their oaths before the President.
Presidential Office Reaction
The Presidential Chancellery condemned the event in the Sejm as a “farce” conducted without legal basis, violating articles 7, 2, 4, 10(1), and 126(1 & 2) of the Constitution. They maintain that there are currently eleven judges and four “anti-judges” of the Constitutional Tribunal.
Zbigniew Bogucki, Head of the Presidential Chancellery, stated that Donald Tusk had delegated others to participate in the “parody.”
Presidential Stance on Appointments
Marcin Przydacz, Head of the Presidential Bureau for International Policy, affirmed that the Constitutional Tribunal currently consists of 11 judges and that the President has not yet scheduled a date to accept the remaining oaths.
Przydacz stated that, given the legal violations by the four candidates selected by the Sejm, taking their oaths is now impossible, as TK judges must not break or circumvent the law.