Two Constitutional Tribunal judges were sworn in by President Nawrocki on Wednesday, while the coalition debates whether further oaths can occur without him.
Judges Sworn In By President
Karol Nawrocki administered the oath of office to Magdalena Bentkowska and Dariusz Szostek, two judges of the Constitutional Tribunal. Presidential Chief of Staff Zbigniew Bogucki stated the President considered it his fundamental responsibility to fill these vacancies.
Krystian Markiewicz, Maciej Taborowski, Marcin Dziurda, and Anna Korwin-Piotrowska are still awaiting their swearing-in ceremony.
Alternative Swearing-In Plan Considered
Wirtualna Polska reports that the swearing-in of the remaining Constitutional Tribunal judges may occur next week, potentially before a notary public with the participation of the Sejm Marshal. However, a source close to the coalition emphasized that no concrete decisions have been made.
An anonymous KO politician claimed, “Everything is decided. The swearing-in will take place next week, with or without the President.”
President Warns Against Circumventing Protocol
Bogucki conveyed that Nawrocki discourages attempts to proceed with the swearing-in without his involvement. The President warns that swearing-in judges before another body would constitute both a constitutional violation and a serious criminal offense.
Individuals who proceed with such a swearing-in would be denied the opportunity to do so before the President.
Police Presence Possible During Tribunal Entry?
Marcin Kierwiński suggested the possibility of the four unsworn judges entering the Constitutional Tribunal accompanied by police. He stated that if laws are broken or court/prosecutor orders are issued, the police will enforce Polish law as they always have.
Presidential Office Responds to Minister Kierwiński
Bogucki responded to Kierwiński, stating that Article 4, paragraph 1 of the Act on the Status of Constitutional Tribunal Judges clearly stipulates that swearing-in must occur before the President of the Republic, in his presence, and not before other officials.
He further noted that the law does not specify a deadline for the President to accept the oath.
