The European Commission is watching closely the crisis around Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal after Friday evening’s confrontation outside its headquarters, broadcast live on television. The incident has thrust back into view a dispute lasting more than a decade over the court’s composition and legitimacy, Digi24 reports citing Euronews and News.ro.

A Commission spokesperson said on Saturday that Polish authorities must ensure the Tribunal functions in line with the Polish Constitution and relevant Court of Justice of the EU case law. The appointment of eight new members falls within the Sejm’s constitutional powers, the spokesperson stressed.

The spokesperson also recalled the European Court of Human Rights’ interim measures of 5 May 2026, requiring competent authorities to refrain from blocking judges appointed by the Sejm in March 2026 from taking office and performing judicial duties.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk addressed Poles in a televised speech on Saturday evening. He called Friday’s scenes “scandalous incidents” and said restoring calm cannot mean accepting illegality or violence, promising conditions for an independent judiciary.

The crisis deepened after President Karol Nawrocki entered the Tribunal building, where he is blocking the new judges’ nominations, and police surrounded the site. Tusk’s government cites long-needed rule-of-law reforms after the PiS years; the opposition alleges a coup attempt. ECR co-chairs condemned the government’s actions and urged EU institutions not to look away.

Image: Donald Tusk (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 pl).

Sources consulted: Poland’s political crisis: European Commission reacts; Tusk addresses Poles - Digi24.