Polish President Karol Nawrocki aborts Senegal trip as riot police surround Constitutional Tribunal amid court chief suspension

President Karol Nawrocki cut short his official trip to Senegal on Friday, turning his aircraft around and landing in Warsaw to address a rapidly escalating constitutional dispute. The catalyst was the suspension of Bogdan Świeczkowski, the president of Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal, an action taken by the current centrist government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Within hours of his return, dozens of riot police were positioned at the entrance of the Tribunal in Warsaw as supporters of the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party gathered to protest the move.

The protest quickly turned confrontational, with demonstrators chanting slogans such as “Tusk traitor” and, according to an AFP journalist, some holding Roman Catholic rosaries and religious images. Police reported that objects were thrown at officers, prompting the deployment of riot units to maintain order. The Tribunal’s official X account described the suspension as a “coup d’état,” reflecting the depth of the political rift.

Background

Poland’s constitutional dispute dates back several years, rooted in a power struggle over the composition and authority of the Constitutional Tribunal. During the PiS‑led government from 2015 to 2023, the European Union criticised the court for decisions that favoured national legislation over EU law, including rulings that upheld controversial domestic policies. After the 2023 election, centrist Prime Minister Donald Tusk pledged to resolve the long‑standing conflict with Brussels and restore the rule of law.

In early 2026, President Nawrocki, a right‑wing independent with close ties to the former PiS administration, blocked the swearing‑in of three judges nominated by the current parliamentary majority. At the same time, Świeczkowski, a former deputy justice minister under PiS, refused to allow judges appointed by the new majority to assume their duties. The standoff intensified when the government announced the suspension of Świeczkowski and his deputy Bartłomiej Sochański, and Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek, who also serves as attorney general, requested the lifting of their parliamentary immunity.

The suspension was formally announced by Tribunal judge Anna Korwin‑Piotrowska, prompting immediate protests from PiS supporters who view the move as an attempt by the Tusk government to purge the court of right‑wing influence.

Why it matters

The crisis has immediate implications for Poland’s judicial independence and its relationship with the European Union. The Constitutional Tribunal is a key arbiter of the balance between national law and EU directives; its paralysis could delay or block rulings on matters ranging from environmental standards to media freedom. PiS supporters argue that the suspension undermines the court’s legitimacy, while the Tusk administration maintains that restoring the rule of law requires removing judges perceived as partisan.

Internationally, the dispute adds pressure on Poland’s EU accession commitments, especially after previous EU criticism of the court’s alignment with nationalist policies. Domestically, the deployment of riot police and the clash between demonstrators and law enforcement highlight a heightened risk of civil unrest, with both sides mobilising large numbers of supporters.

What happens next

Prime Minister Tusk reiterated on X that restoring the rule of law is the government’s obligation, signalling that further legal or legislative steps may be taken to resolve the Tribunal’s composition. Justice Minister Żurek’s request to lift the immunity of Świeczkowski and Sochański suggests possible criminal proceedings, though no charges have been confirmed.

The situation remains fluid, with the Tribunal’s social media accounts continuing to label the suspension a “coup d’état” and PiS activists planning additional demonstrations. Observers note that any further escalation could prompt renewed EU scrutiny or mediation, but no formal intervention has been announced as of Friday.

The episode underscores the fragility of Poland’s institutional balance and the political stakes surrounding the country’s highest court, with the outcome likely to influence both domestic governance and Poland’s standing within the European Union.