Tusk closes path to negotiations with Nawrocki over Constitutional Tribunal crisis

Polish Prime Minister refuses dialogue with head of state

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk officially rejected the possibility of holding negotiations with President Karol Nawrocki. This decision was made against the backdrop of an escalating conflict surrounding the Constitutional Tribunal. In a video address published on 31 October, the head of government accused Nawrocki, as well as his predecessor as president, Andrzej Duda, of undermining the rule of law in the country.

Accusations of blocking reform

According to Tusk, all initiatives aimed at reaching a consensus on the reform of the tribunal were thwarted by the president and the Law and Justice party (PiS), which supports the head of state's actions. The Prime Minister emphasised that in a number of fundamental issues, seeking a compromise is impossible.

«З низки принципових питань компроміс неможливий. Крик і брехня не можуть стати джерелом права в Польщі. І не стануть» (In a number of fundamental issues, compromise is impossible. Shouting and lies cannot become a source of law in Poland. And they will not), Tusk stated.

President's actions at the court building

Separately, the head of government condemned Nawrocki's behaviour, who on the night of 31 October entered the police-surrounded building of the Constitutional Tribunal. Tusk stressed that such actions contradict the foundations of the rule of law.

«У правовій державі політик, навіть будучи президентом, не має права вторгатися до суду, віддавати вказівки та залякувати суддів» (In a rule-of-law state, a politician, even if he is the president, has no right to intrude into a court, issue instructions, or intimidate judges), the Prime Minister emphasised.

Causes of the dispute's escalation

The current crisis intensified after the temporary suspension from their posts of the head of the Constitutional Tribunal, Bogdan Svenczowski, and his deputy, Bartłomiej Sochański. The government believes that these officials are obstructing the normal functioning of the court. In turn, President Nawrocki refuses to take the oath of office from new judges who were elected by the Sejm.