Nawrocki Holds Talks as Poland’s Tribunal Dispute Deepens

Polish President Karol Nawrocki held crisis talks with political leaders on October 31 after a judge ordered the suspension of Constitutional Tribunal President Bogdan Święczkowski and deputy Bartłomiej Sochański, escalating a dispute over control of the court. No breakthrough was reported by Saturday afternoon, and the legality of the suspension and rival leadership claims remains contested. Judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska issued the one-month suspension order on Friday and said she would take charge of the Tribunal. The Tribunal’s website posted information about the orders, but the legal effect of the move is disputed. The government and Korwin-Piotrowska’s side say the action is intended to let newly elected judges work and restore the rule of law. Nawrocki and opposition figures call it an unlawful takeover of a constitutional body. Nawrocki cut short his trip to Senegal and returned to Warsaw, convening consultations at the presidential palace. Representatives of several opposition parties and governing coalition groups attended. Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s Civic Coalition did not participate; the Left said it had not been invited and would not have attended because it...