Polish President Says Court Takeover Violated Constitutional Order

Karol Nawrocki demands the government pull its forces from the Constitutional Tribunal after its president was suspended, citing a threat to Poland’s internal security.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki issued a statement saying that the Constitutional Tribunal was the site of a violation of the constitutional order overnight, along with a forcible takeover of a state body, and that he had consulted Supreme Court First President Zbigniew Kapiński, who also does not regard the actions of those who seized power at the Tribunal as legal.

Nawrocki called on the government to restore legal order and withdraw the enforcement forces it sent to the Tribunal’s premises, and said he had allowed Vice-President Bartłomiej Sochański, whom he described as the legally serving deputy head, to enter the building.

Full translated statement:

"This night, a violation of the constitutional order of the Republic of Poland occurred, along with the forcible takeover of a constitutional state organ. I have held consultations with the First President of the Supreme Court, Zbigniew Kapiński, who also does not recognize as legal the actions taken by individuals usurping power in the Constitutional Tribunal.

I call for the restoration of legal order and the departure from the Tribunal premises by the enforcement forces dispatched to the site by the government. To the Constitutional Tribunal, I have enabled the entry of the legally serving Vice-President of the Constitutional Tribunal, Judge Bartłomiej Sochański.

In connection with the threat to the internal security of the Republic of Poland, I am convening urgent consultations today with the participation of representatives of parliamentary forces in order to achieve stabilization of the political situation and restoration of the constitutional order.

I thank all those who are at the Constitutional Tribunal, standing in defense of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland."