Zbigniew Bogucki, head of the President’s Chancellery, announced a challenge to the recent oath-taking of six Constitutional Tribunal judges, prompting a response from the Sejm Marshal.
Presidential Challenge to Tribunal Oath-Taking
Zbigniew Bogucki, head of the President’s Chancellery, announced on Monday, April 20th, that a motion regarding the dispute over the oath-taking of six Constitutional Tribunal judges, which took place on April 9th in the Sejm, will be submitted to the Constitutional Tribunal this week.
Bogucki described the oath-taking as “insolence and buffoonery.”
Tribunal to Review Presidential Motion
Bogdan Święczkowski, President of the Constitutional Tribunal, stated on Monday that the Tribunal will address the presidential motion and resolve the jurisdictional dispute.
Sejm Marshal Rejects Presidential Opinion
Sejm Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty responded to Bogucki’s announcement on Tuesday, April 21st, stating he is not interested in opinions from the Presidential Palace regarding the Constitutional Tribunal. He affirmed that all matters requiring action by the Polish Sejm have been completed in accordance with the law, and considers the discussion closed.
PiS’s Grip on Power
Czarzasty added that a similar discussion will soon begin regarding the staffing of the National Council of the Judiciary. He asserted that PiS only seeks to maintain control over the Constitutional Tribunal and the KRS, believing this allows them to retain partial power in Poland, and will do everything to prevent relinquishing that control.
Differing Views on Independence
Czarzasty assured that the current ruling camp respects the independence of the Constitutional Tribunal and the National Council of the Judiciary, highlighting a key difference between the current government and PiS.
Constitutional Tribunal Judge on Systematic Changes
Mirosław Wyrzykowski, a retired Constitutional Tribunal judge, stated that for over eight years, there has been a deliberate and conscious effort to alter the constitutional order of the state without amending the constitution, representing a hostile takeover of the state by entities opposed to the Constitution.
Recent Tribunal Judge Appointments
In mid-March, the Sejm elected six Constitutional Tribunal judges. President Nawrocki only administered the oath to two of them: Magdalena Bentkowska and Dariusz Szostak. Two weeks ago, all six judges took their oath in the Column Hall of the Sejm, in the presence of Sejm and Senate Marshals. The Sejm is scheduled to elect fifteen members to the National Council of the Judiciary in mid-May.