Earthquake in TK. The European Commission takes the floor: Position submitted to RMF FM

The Polish Constitutional Tribunal must be able to function in accordance with the Polish constitution and the case law of the Court of Justice of the EU. This is important for every Polish citizen and it is the Polish authorities' responsibility to ensure this state of affairs, said Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath in a statement sent to RMF FM.

The Commission emphasizes that it is closely following the latest developments regarding the Constitutional Tribunal in Poland. McGrath drew attention to the opinion of the Venice Commission of October 13, 2026, which indicated that the appointment of new judges of the Tribunal falls within the competences of the Sejm.

The EU commissioner also recalled that on May 5, 2026, the European Court of Human Rights issued interim measures obliging the competent Polish authorities not to prevent judges elected by the Sejm in March from taking office and performing judicial duties.

Full respect for the rule of law is what Polish citizens expect and deserve, said McGrath.

The Commission's communication is important in the context of the ongoing dispute over eight new judges of the Constitutional Tribunal. Brussels points to both the competences of the Sejm in their election and the obligation of the Polish authorities to ensure the proper functioning of the Tribunal and compliance with European standards of the rule of law.

On Friday evening, after the announcement of a break in the activities of the President of the Constitutional Tribunal, Bogdan Święczkowski, and Vice-President Bartłomiej Sochański, the situation at the seat of the Constitutional Tribunal escalated. The judge with the longest experience, Anna Korwin-Piotrowska, became the new head of the Tribunal's work. This decision sparked violent reactions among politicians and protests. The police appeared in front of the building, but also right-wing circles, including: Robert Bąkiewicz's Border Defense Movement. Prayers were prayed, the "Hymn" was sung, and one of the protesters - assisted by PiS MP Mariusz Gosek - used a grinder to cut the chain securing the gate.

The Warsaw Police Headquarters informed that its officers perform statutory activities at the premises of the Constitutional Tribunal. She referred to information from Judge Korwin-Piotrowska about possible threats to the life and health of judges and employees and about the risk of disturbing public order.