Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal Crisis: Power Struggle Stirs Political Turmoil

On November 1, 2026, a notice on the Constitutional Tribunal’s website announced a one‑month suspension of its president and vice‑president, triggering a surge of protests outside the court in Warsaw and an escalating confrontation between President Karol Nawrocki and Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Suspension Sparks Protest and Police Clash

The notice, posted on the tribunal’s site, named Judge Anna Korwin‑Piotrowska to temporarily oversee the court. Soon after, opposition‑backed demonstrators gathered outside the building, and a group of three protesters broke into the grounds, where they were detained and several people were reported injured. Police described the incident as a clash with protesters who had entered the premises.

Nawrocki arrived at the tribunal in the early hours of Saturday, where he was involved in a heated exchange with several judges, culminating in pushing and shoving at the entrance. It was during this confrontation that Nawrocki’s chief of staff, Pawel Szefernaker, read out a statement outside the tribunal accusing those involved of violating Poland’s constitutional order and of taking over the court “by force.”

"We have been violated on our constitutional order and our constitutional institution is taken over by force," Nawrocki’s chief of staff said.

Following the incident, Nawrocki called for urgent talks with parliamentary parties. He reported meetings with representatives of the Polish People’s Party, a coalition partner, as well as opposition Law and Justice (PiS). The Civic Coalition, however, declined to attend.

Tusk‑Nawrocki Standoff Over Judicial Independence

In a televised address on Saturday evening, Prime Minister Tusk accused PiS and Nawrocki of undermining the rule of law. He said that neither the president nor any other politician had the right to order defendants or intimidate judges. Tusk pledged to ensure that the tribunal operated independently and in line with the constitution.

"No politician, not even the president, has the right to give orders to judges or intimidate them," Tusk said.

Tusk’s remarks drew sharp criticism from the opposition, which accused his government of attempting to wrest control of the tribunal. The dispute stems from the refusal to recognize five newly appointed judges, a point linked to long‑running reforms initiated by the former Law and Justice government. These reforms, and the tribunal’s current crisis, carry potential fallout for Poland’s relationship with the European Union.

Meanwhile, President Nawrocki stated that his return to Warsaw – after cutting short a visit to Senegal – was prompted by the crisis and that he sought to stabilize the political situation. He called for discussions with all parties to restore “constitutional order.”

The standoff has ignited a broader debate about Poland’s judicial independence. Protesters see the suspension as a direct attack on the rule of law; supporters of the government see it as an effort to curtail a tribunal that they claim has repeatedly made rulings against constitutional reforms.

Both sides now face a complex political dilemma. The tribunal’s ability to function independently remains at stake, and the Polish government must navigate domestic pressure and potential incursions on its relations with the European Union, which has already expressed concern over the reforms introduced by the former Law and Justice administration.

As the situation unfolds, Polish authorities have not yet outlined a plan to resolve the impasse, leaving the future of the Constitutional Tribunal – and the balance of power between the presidency, the prime minister’s office, and the ruling coalition – uncertain.