Poland's Constitutional Tribunal in turmoil as president accuses government of power grab

Protesters and riot police faced off outside Poland's Constitutional Tribunal on Friday evening after the court's president was suspended, marking a new escalation in the ongoing conflict between the government and the Tribunal's leadership.

President Karol Nawrocki, who had cut short a trip to Senegal, returned to Warsaw and met with legal officials before heading to the Tribunal's headquarters, where he encountered resistance from judges.

According to Tribunal spokesperson Weronika Ścibor, security guards were ordered to vacate the building as seven judges appointed by the Sejm entered. Current leadership, including President Bogdan Święczkowski, was reportedly denied entry.

Judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska subsequently took over as acting president and suspended Święczkowski. The Tribunal's current leadership has challenged the legality of these actions.

Nawrocki's chief of staff read a statement describing the events as a breach of constitutional order and a forcible takeover of a state institution, calling for the restoration of legal order and the departure of government forces.

Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek expressed concern over Nawrocki's behavior, stating that footage showed the president 'forcing his way in and attacking the judges,' and called for legal action.

Protests erupted around the Tribunal, with leaders from PiS and Confederation, along with right-wing supporters, condemning the government's actions and warning of a potential shift toward a police state.