Poland’s political crisis intensified Friday after the Constitutional Tribunal announced that its president, Bogdan Święczkowski, and vice-president, Bartłomiej Sochański, had been removed from their duties temporarily, triggering protests outside the Warsaw court and a police operation.
The developments marked a sharp escalation in the long-running dispute over Poland’s judiciary, which pits Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s pro-European governing coalition against the opposition Law and Justice party and President Karol Nawrocki.
Polish police said officers were deployed outside the tribunal after receiving requests to protect judges, employees and public order.
The force said it did not enter the court building and that its activity was limited to public areas near Aleja Szucha.
Three people were detained after allegedly climbing over the tribunal’s fence, while police also reported that objects were thrown at officers during the confrontation.
Authorities said the detainees would face proceedings related to unlawful entry.
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What happened at Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal
The suspension was announced by the tribunal on Friday evening, placing Anna Korwin-Piotrowska, described in reports as the court’s longest-serving judge, in temporary control of the institution.
The move was linked to the deepening dispute over the tribunal’s composition and the participation of judges selected by the current parliamentary majority.
Tusk’s government has accused Święczkowski of blocking judges elected by parliament from taking up their positions.
Opponents of the move described it as an attack on Poland’s constitutional order.
Former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro called for resistance, while government supporters said intervention was necessary to restore the rule of law.
The tribunal’s website later became unavailable, limiting independent access to the full explanation for the decision.
The police statement, however, said a judge had warned of possible risks to the lives and health of judges and employees, as well as a threat of public disorder connected with planned activities at the institution.
President cuts short foreign trip
President Karol Nawrocki said he was returning to Poland from Senegal because of the situation at the court.
He said the president should be in the country during a moment of institutional tension.
Nawrocki is aligned with the national-conservative opposition and has used presidential powers to block or delay parts of the government’s judicial reform agenda.
His return adds a further layer of political urgency to the confrontation.
Tusk defended the government’s approach, saying that restoring the rule of law was an obligation and that the process would require decisive action.
The prime minister’s coalition has been attempting to reverse changes introduced during the Law and Justice government’s period in power from 2015 to 2023.
Why the dispute matters
Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal reviews whether laws and other state actions comply with the country’s constitution.
A prolonged dispute over who may sit on the tribunal and who has authority to direct its work can affect the validity, timing and public acceptance of important rulings.
The conflict also reflects a wider institutional struggle that has continued since Tusk’s coalition took office in December 2023.
The government says reforms are needed to restore judicial independence after years of political influence over courts.
Its opponents argue that the coalition is itself undermining lawful institutions while trying to replace judges appointed during the previous government.
Poland’s judicial conflict has drawn sustained attention from European institutions because the independence of the country’s courts is linked to broader European Union rule-of-law standards.
The dispute has already contributed to tensions between Warsaw and Brussels and remains a significant test of Poland’s democratic checks and balances.
What happens next
The immediate question is whether the tribunal can continue operating under temporary leadership and whether Święczkowski and Sochański will challenge the decision.
The president’s return to Poland is likely to increase pressure on the government to explain the legal basis for the action, while opposition parties are expected to frame the move as an attempted takeover of a constitutional institution.
Police said Friday’s deployment was intended to maintain public safety rather than interfere with the tribunal’s work.
That distinction is likely to become central to the political and legal debate as authorities review the incidents outside the building.
For now, Poland’s crisis remains a constitutional and institutional confrontation rather than a military coup.
The language of a “coup” has appeared repeatedly in the country’s political disputes, but the verified events Friday involved a contested judicial decision, protests, police security measures and competing claims over the lawful control of the tribunal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal?
The tribunal announced that President Bogdan Święczkowski and Vice-President Bartłomiej Sochański had been temporarily removed from their duties. Protests followed outside the Warsaw court, where police detained three people.
Why was police presence reported at the tribunal?
Police said they were asked to help protect judges and employees and prevent disorder. Authorities said officers remained outside the building and did not take control of the tribunal’s interior.
Who is Donald Tusk?
Donald Tusk is Poland’s prime minister and leads the pro-European governing coalition that took office in December 2023.
Why is Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal dispute important?
The tribunal rules on whether laws comply with Poland’s constitution. Disputes over its membership and leadership can affect the authority and public acceptance of its decisions.
Was there a coup in Poland?
The verified events involved a contested court decision, protests and police security measures. There is no verified evidence in the reported developments of a military coup.
Fact-Checked: Key facts were checked against the Warsaw police statement, Polish prosecutorial information and official institutional material available on October 30, 2026.
Disclaimer: The legal status of the tribunal’s leadership decision may change as affected officials, courts and Poland’s political institutions respond.