Constitutional Court Standoff Deepens as Judge Swears Oath Without President
A new Constitutional Court judge swore an oath before parliament on Wednesday, circumventing Poland's president who has refused to formally induct him, escalating a political crisis over judicial appointments.
Under Polish law, a new Constitutional Tribunal (Trybunał Konstytucyjny) judge must swear an oath before the president. However, since Maciej Berek was elected to the court by the government's majority in parliament in early September, President Karol Nawrocki has refused to swear him in. The president claims Berek has not presented evidence of practicing as a legal counsel for at least 10 years, though Berek says he has done so.
On Wednesday morning, Berek instead swore his oath at a ceremony organised in parliament, declaring that he was directing the oath towards the president, despite Nawrocki not being present. This unconventional ceremony reflects the deepening institutional conflict between Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Nawrocki, which has paralysed key government functions and created legal ambiguity about judicial legitimacy.
The Political Battle
- Conflict over court composition reflects broader PM-President standoff
- Questions about oath validity remain unresolved
- European authorities have urged swift resolution
If you hold a Polish residency card or are involved in legal proceedings, pay attention to decisions from the Constitutional Court, as the legitimacy of its rulings may be contested depending on which political faction you ask. The institutional crisis could affect legal certainty for years.
Sources
Independent app, not a government. General information, not advice. The official source:
