Conflict for power in the Academy: Protests and police intervention

The decision to appoint a new rector caused many emotions. As we informed, there is a picket in front of the university's headquarters regarding this matter. The protesters did not want to let the new rector into his office.

The Ministry of Justice emphasizes that the change of the rector is legal.

The new rector was not allowed to enter the university

However, on Friday morning, when Cudak tried to assume his duties, he encountered resistance. On site appeared, among others: PiS MP Maria Kurowska and former candidate for the Commissioner for Human Rights Adam Borowski.

Please allow me to perform my duties, Cudak appealed, citing the ministry's decision.

Kurowska, however, claimed that Cudak is not an employee of the university, and Sopiński remains the rector. The latter said on Republika TV that the decision to dismiss him was not delivered to him and the minister had no grounds to make such a decision.

Police intervention and political tensions

Prof. Today, Cudak called the police to let him enter the building. The spokeswoman for the Minister of Justice Dominika Ziętara emphasized that the ministry's activities are aimed at enforcing the law, and the police presence is necessary to ensure security and order.

Other PiS politicians also appeared on site, including president Jarosław Kaczyński and MP Sebastian Kaleta. None of them were allowed inside.

What is needed is courage, determination and the ability to say "no" to this authority, Kaczyński said, appealing to authorities independent of the government to take action.

MP Kaleta accused the authorities of using the police to block the work of parliamentarians and announced that he would submit a report to the prosecutor's office. We are dealing with an unlawful attack on an institution independent of the government, he said.

Behind the scenes of the rector's dismissal

Already in May, the Ministry of Justice indicated three main reasons for Sopiński's dismissal: serious irregularities in doctoral thesis work, demonstrative political activity and a threat to the proper probation process. The ministry emphasized that the decision was made after obtaining positive opinions from the Central Council of Science and Higher Education and the Conference of Rectors of Polish Academic Schools.

Sopiński questioned the legality of the decision from the beginning, citing the security of the Constitutional Tribunal and the lack of formal delivery of documents. The ministry denied these allegations, emphasizing that the procedures had been followed.

What's next for the Academy?

Minister of Justice Waldemar Żurek expects the Senate of the Academy to present a schedule for the election of a new rector-commandant within 14 days.