EU Commission: Polish Parliament has right to appoint judges to the Constitutional Court

The European Commission has declared that the appointment of eight new members to Poland's Constitutional Tribunal falls within the constitutional power of the Sejm, the country's parliament. This statement comes amid heightened tensions following a live-televised confrontation outside the court building on Friday night, which has drawn renewed international attention to a dispute spanning over a decade.

A Commission spokesperson emphasized that Polish authorities must ensure the Tribunal functions according to both the Polish constitution and relevant European Union case law. The spokesperson also referenced a May 2026 ruling by the European Court of Human Rights that required Polish authorities not to interfere with judges appointed by the Sejm in March 2026.

Tusk condemns violence

Prime Minister Donald Tusk addressed the nation in a televised speech on Saturday evening, describing Friday's events as "scandalous incidents." He emphasized that restoring calm could not mean accepting lawlessness or violence, vowing to restore conditions for independent justice and the rule of law.

European conservatives react

The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group condemned the Polish government's actions, with co-chair Nicola Procaccini calling them a "clear and grave violation of the rule of law." The group backed President Karol Nawrocki, who was involved in Friday's confrontation when he attempted to enter the Tribunal building amid a deadlock over judge appointments.

The crisis escalated when police surrounded the building during the live confrontation, highlighting the growing stand-off between the president and the government. The Tusk administration claims it's implementing necessary reforms after years of alleged judicial interference by the Law and Justice party, while the opposition accuses the government of attempting a coup.

Decade-long dispute

The Constitutional Tribunal's legitimacy has been contested since 2015, when conflicts arose between then-governing Civic Platform and the Law and Justice party over judge appointments. This has evolved into a broader conflict over judicial independence, the court's composition, and the authority of its rulings, with no immediate resolution in sight.