Clash erupts as judges take oath amid police-blocked entry to Constitutional Court
Judge Maciej Berek swore an oath before the absent president in the Sejm speaker's office, then was escorted to the Constitutional Court where police faced violent resistance.
In a highly controlled ceremony, Maciej Berek administered his oath as a Constitutional Court judge inside the Sejm speaker's office, invoking a president who was absent, with no opposition MPs or media allowed, only state television present. Following the oath, Berek and fellow judges were escorted to the Constitutional Court premises. Police attempting to gain access encountered organized protestors who used force, leading to the gate being forced open and several demonstrators sustaining injuries.
Court president Bogdan Święczkowski, who lacks authority to admit police without the president's consent, urged the crowd to allow police entry. The incident featured chants against communism and references to foreign police forces, while PiS deputy Przemysław Czarnek claimed the events constitute a coup attempt and announced plans for legal actions and diplomatic complaints.
Why it matters
The incident highlights a deepening constitutional crisis and escalating political tensions in Poland.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTCenter coverage frames the oath as a bold defiance of the president backed by the prime minister, while right-leaning coverage stresses the president’s rejection of the judge’s legitimacy and highlights procedural breaches.
CENTER
The oath is presented as a defiant move against the president, underscored by the prime minister’s support.
RIGHT
The oath is portrayed as illegitimate, with the president denying the judge’s status and noting procedural violations.
The right emphasises
- president says Berek is not a Constitutional Court judge
- any breach of constitutional procedure happened without his involvement
- clashes injured opposition activists at the court’s entrance
In this story
Related stories
12 in this thread