Polish President Karol Nawrocki swore in two Constitutional Tribunal judges on Wednesday, sparking controversy over the legality of selecting only two out of six candidates nominated by the Sejm.
PiS Challenges Tribunal Judge Selection Process
Marcin Warchoł, a PiS MP, stated that the selection of only two judges – Magdalena Bentkowska and Dariusz Szostek – adhered to Sejm regulations due to the individual nature of judges’ terms and the requirement to select replacements as terms expire.
Warchoł explained that candidates were only formally submitted for the two positions within the required 30-day window before the end of their respective terms, making their selection valid. He noted that further candidates for those positions could have been nominated without the 30-day requirement.
Four Candidates Deemed Ineligible Due to Missed Deadline
Warchoł asserted that the remaining four candidates were ineligible because the deadline for nominations had passed without any candidates being submitted in accordance with parliamentary procedure. He claims their selection would therefore be illegal.
Judges Maintain Proper Selection
Magdalena Bentkowska, after the swearing-in ceremony, stated that all six judges were properly selected and expressed hope that the remaining judges would be sworn in soon, allowing the entire tribunal to begin work.
List of Selected Judges
The selected judges are Krystian Markiewicz, Maciej Taborowski, Marcin Dziurda, Anna Korwin-Piotrowska, Dariusz Szostek, and Magdalena Bentkowska.
Opposition Criticizes Presidential Decision
PiS lawmakers are questioning the constitutionality of the decision, arguing that selecting six judges simultaneously violates the constitution. They maintain judges should be appointed at different times to align with expiring terms.
Justice Minister Appeals for Clarification
Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek criticized President Nawrocki’s actions, questioning the basis for selecting only two judges and appealing for clarification regarding the remaining four candidates, stating that such a process undermines the rule of law.
