# Disputed Polish Constitutional Tribunal Holds Meeting Amid Leadership Crisis Government-backed judges claim control of Poland's top court despite opposition and legitimacy challenges. - **Source:** [Notes from Poland](https://notesfrompoland.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-03 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/e6e05b0f-480d-4fc9-badd-a53a28ef6fc4 ## Tribunal Leadership Power Struggle Eight government-backed judges recently seized control of Poland's Constitutional Tribunal, initiating disciplinary proceedings against Chief Justice Bogdan Święczkowski. This move follows a period of intense institutional friction. The group claims authority to reorganize the court, while the ousted leadership labels the takeover an illegal coup d'état against the established judicial order. ## Disputed Quorum and Legal Validity The assembly reached a quorum of eight judges by excluding suspended members and others deemed unauthorized. Critics, including constitutional scholar Ryszard Piotrowski, argue the meeting was illegal. The tribunal normally requires ten judges for a valid assembly, but the current group redefined the total count to twelve to justify their proceedings. ## Physical Confrontation at Court Riot police were deployed outside the tribunal building to manage protesters and prevent ousted leaders from entering. President Karol Nawrocki managed to enter the premises, resulting in a verbal and physical clash with Anna Korwin-Piotrowska. These events underscore the extreme volatility currently surrounding the nation's highest legal institution and its operations. ## Budgetary and Disciplinary Actions During the meeting, the judges successfully adopted a draft budget for 2027, a task the previous leadership failed to complete. They also drew lots to form disciplinary panels against Święczkowski and Deputy Chief Justice Bartłomiej Sochański. These administrative actions serve as the primary justification for the recent leadership transition within the court. ## Presidential and Government Conflict President Karol Nawrocki met with Prime Minister Donald Tusk, publicly accusing the government of orchestrating an illegal takeover. Tusk’s administration maintains that the crisis stems from the previous government's decade-long political influence over the court. The government claims these actions are necessary to restore the tribunal's independence after years of controversy. ## Historical Context of Appointments The current crisis is rooted in the refusal of President Nawrocki to swear in five judges appointed by the current parliamentary majority. Conversely, the previous Law and Justice government faced years of criticism for unlawfully appointing judges. This cycle of disputed appointments has left the tribunal's legal status in a state of flux. ## Expert and Legal Criticism Legal experts warn that lowering the quorum threshold sets a dangerous precedent for future judicial operations. Przemysław Rosati, president of the Supreme Bar Council, expressed significant doubts regarding the legality of the assembly's decisions. Critics argue that this mechanism allows any faction to manipulate court proceedings by suspending their political opponents. ## Implications for Judicial Stability The tribunal’s future remains uncertain as two parallel factions claim legitimacy over the institution. With the court's authority deeply divided, the ability of the Constitutional Tribunal to function as an impartial arbiter is severely compromised. Observers are now watching to see how the judiciary will resolve these competing claims of legal power. ## Sources covering this story - https://notesfrompoland.com/2026/11/03/disputed-polish-constitutional-court-holds-first-meeting-after-takeover-by-government-backed-judges/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._