President Karol Nawrocki declined to nominate 46 judges, sparking accusations from former Constitutional Tribunal president Prof. Andrzej Zoll and protests from former President Andrzej Duda, all unfolding in Warsaw.
Dispute over President Nawrocki’s Decision
President Karol Nawrocki announced that he had refused to nominate 46 judges, citing his constitutional right to make such decisions. He stated, “Every judge appointed by the President of the Republic is a judge of the Republic. The prerogative of the president is to nominate, but he may also refuse those nominations. I am using this right today—refusing the nominations of 46 judges.”
Nawrocki added that he would not advance those he believed “question the constitutional‑legal order of the Republic.” The move drew criticism from the legal community and some politicians.
Duda Defends Nawrocki
Former President Andrzej Duda responded to Prof. Zoll by accusing the former Tribunal president of manipulation. He wrote that the appointment of judges is “a prerogative of the President of the Republic” and that the president may either confirm by act of nomination and oath-taking or refuse nomination; it is not an administrative decision but an act of executive power.
Prof. Zoll Responds to Duda
In an interview with “Faktem,” Prof. Zoll said the president’s refusal was “absolutely outside the law.” He noted that the Constitution does not mention the president’s power in this matter and that the decision lacks constitutional basis.
He further argued that the judgment is a move toward authoritarianism, pointing out that some of the judges who were rejected had previously signed lists criticizing PiS‑era judicial reforms and called for respect of EU Court rulings.
