Poland’s justice system is reportedly facing its most significant crisis since the country’s founding, according to Andrzej Dera, the Secretary of State in the Presidential Chancellery. His comments come in response to escalating tensions between the government and the judiciary, with Dera hinting that President Andrzej Duda may take decisive action to remove the ruling coalition from power if the situation continues to deteriorate.
At the heart of the issue is a ruling by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Chamber, which affirmed Dariusz Barski as the legitimate Prosecutor General. Despite this decision, the government has refused to comply with the ruling. Barski attempted to enter his office but was blocked, a move that has only deepened the political standoff.
During an appearance on Telewizja Republika, Dera placed blame for the constitutional crisis on Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar. He asserted that Poland’s justice system had effectively ceased functioning, as rulings are being undermined and the legitimacy of judges and prosecutors is being questioned.
Democratic Intervention?
According to Dera, President Duda, as the constitutional guardian, will respond to the crisis. He suggested that the president might take action to restore constitutional order, emphasizing that Poland’s legal system has been severely compromised by the ruling coalition’s actions.
“The justice system has likely plunged into its deepest crisis since the founding of our nation,” Dera warned. He further stated that the current trajectory of events threatens the very existence of the Polish state. Echoing concerns about the nation’s future, Dera called for immediate steps to prevent what he termed a collapse of the legal order.
Dera hinted that if the situation continues to worsen, President Duda may be forced to take more dramatic measures, including utilizing democratic processes to oust the current ruling coalition.
What’s Next for Barski?
With Barski unable to assume his office, legal experts are debating his next steps. Piotr Andrzejewski, Deputy Chairman of the State Tribunal, indicated that Barski could appeal to the president to uphold his constitutional duties. Andrzejewski argued that President Duda could issue an internal decree enabling Barski to perform his duties remotely, asserting that the current government’s refusal to acknowledge Barski’s legitimacy undermines the rule of law.
Andrzejewski went further, accusing the government of engaging in activities that could be classified as organized crime by ignoring legal rulings and defying the country’s highest offices. According to him, such actions pose a severe threat to the stability and legality of the Polish state.