Newly appointed judges of Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal were sworn in at the Sejm, prompting controversy and a police presence at the Tribunal building.
Judges Enter Constitutional Tribunal Following Oath Ceremony
The oath-taking ceremony for the Constitutional Tribunal judges was held under tight security. A live report detailed the events surrounding the ceremony.
Supporters and opponents of the new judges’ appointment gathered outside the Constitutional Tribunal, prompting a police cordon at the building’s entrance. The judges stated they were “correctly and effectively” elected, asserting the Sejm’s exclusive authority in their selection and their immediate duty to begin their work.
Criminal Complaint Filed by Ruling Party Lawmaker
Mariusz Błaszczak, a PiS (Law and Justice) lawmaker, announced a criminal complaint would be filed against Sejm Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty and Sejm Chancellery Chief Marek Siwiec regarding potential criminal offenses.
Legal Arguments Over Presidential Role in Oath-Taking
Michał Wawrykiewicz, a constitutional law expert and MEP, explained that the law does not require the President’s presence at the judges’ oath-taking, only that the oath is taken before the President as an institution. He stated the signed oath, witnessed by a notary, would be delivered to the Presidential Chancellery, ensuring its legality.
Wawrykiewicz emphasized that the President has no constitutional role in the appointment of Constitutional Tribunal judges, reiterating that the Sejm holds that power.
Formalities Completed, Judges Affirm Commitment
The judges affirmed that all necessary formalities had been completed. They stated their oath was sent to the President and the written oath would be delivered, fulfilling all requirements for assuming office.
Oath and Commitment to the Constitution
In a statement read by Judge Markiewicz, the judges affirmed their allegiance solely to the Constitution, pledging to faithfully serve the Nation and uphold the Constitution impartially and diligently.
Sejm Appointment and Prior Swearing-Ins
The Sejm elected six Constitutional Tribunal judges on March 13th. President Karol Nawrocki had previously sworn in Dariusz Szostek and Magdalena Bentkowska. The remaining four judges – Krystian Markiewicz, Maciej Taborowski, Marcin Dziurda, and Anna Korwin-Piotrowska – invited President Nawrocki to the Sejm on April 9th to take their oath.
During the ceremony at the Sejm, all six judges elected in March took their oaths.