Riot police surround Poland's Constitutional Tribunal

Suspension of chief justice triggers government clash

The suspension of the Constitutional Tribunal chief justice has triggered a clash between the government and the court.

According to the Constitutional Court, the two judges targeted for prosecution by the government continue to hold their positions as the court's lawfully appointed senior justices.

Protesters clash with police outside court

Protesters gathered outside the court to demonstrate against the suspension of the court president, with some chanting "Tusk traitor". Three individuals were taken into custody by police following an incident where demonstrators broke through the tribunal's fence and hurled items at officers.

Elsewhere, protesters and riot police clashed in Turin, Italy, on 24 October. In the United States, six people were arrested in Elyria on 27 October after a riot and a shooting that left a woman injured.

President Nawrocki returns from Senegal

President Karol Nawrocki, supported by the PiS party, returned to Poland after cutting short a flight to Senegal to enter the constitutional court.

My trip to Senegal is being cut short. I am returning,”.

Prime Minister Tusk defends rule of law

Prime Minister Donald Tusk defended the government's actions, writing on social media, "Restoring the rule of law is our duty".

During a G20 meeting in Atlanta, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski remarked that the tribunal had become politicised during the prior administration, and that the present measures are intended to return it to full functionality.

Court labels government actions a coup d'etat

The official social media channel of the court characterized the situation as a "coup d'etat".

Former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro described the suspension as "a blatant, criminal attack on the constitutional order".

Historical context of tribunal rulings and EU involvement

The BBC reported that the government stopped publishing tribunal rulings based on CJEU and ECtHR rulings that the PiS majority had improperly elected three judges. The CJEU found serious violations at the tribunal in December 2025, and the ECtHR issued interim measures in May 2026 regarding four judges who were prevented from exercising their duties.

Diplomacy and Law analysis noted that neither Article 19(1) of the TEU nor Article 7 TEU grants EU institutions the authority to control the Polish Constitutional Tribunal or appoint its leadership.

Riots are a form of civil disorder involving public violence against property or authority figures, such as state-owned institutions, shops, or cars. While political grievances can cause riots, government offices are not often targeted because they are strongly protected.