The 35th anniversary of the National Council of the Judiciary (KRS), celebrated at the Constitutional Tribunal, was supposed to be an opportunity to reflect on the future of Poland’s justice system. Instead, it became a symbol of the deep crisis the country is facing under the rule of the “December 13 Coalition.” The current government does not recognize legally appointed judges, leading to a de facto paralysis of the judiciary and risking the complete destruction of the legal system.
As noted in an interview with TV Republika journalist Daniel Machała, KRS Chair Dagmara Pawelczyk-Wojska stated that the current situation in the institution is the result of a political war that, instead of repairing the justice system, is leading to its collapse.
Division in the Courts – A Disaster for Citizens
The ruling “December 13 Coalition” is ignoring constitutional state bodies, resulting in increasing chaos in the courts. Challenging the status of judges leads to the annulment of verdicts, prolonging trials and depriving citizens of access to justice.
“Unfortunately, despite my persistent efforts to bring all parties and feuding judges together, it has not been possible. There is still this bubble where one side talks only to itself, and the other side does the same. This is a huge mistake because it is impossible to solve the problems facing the entire judiciary this way,” emphasized Pawelczyk-Wojska.
Undermining the rulings of legally appointed judges leads to absurd situations where cases are dismissed not due to procedural errors but simply because a particular judge “does not suit” the current government. This not only violates the principles of the rule of law but also destabilizes the entire state.
Revolution Instead of Reform
Instead of genuine reform of the justice system, the “December 13 Coalition” government is pushing changes that do not solve any problems but only escalate the crisis.
“The projects presented by the Commission for the Judiciary or the proposed changes to the National Council of the Judiciary do not address anything. And that is the biggest problem – they do not solve any real issues. The entire conflict revolves solely around the method of appointing judges – it is completely absurd,” added the KRS chair.
By destroying the independence of the courts and ignoring the rulings of legitimate judges, the government is condemning Polish citizens to legal uncertainty and prolonged chaos.
Is the Total Collapse of the Judiciary Imminent?
If the current government’s actions continue, Poland’s justice system may completely collapse. Verdicts will be annulled, cases will drag on for years, and instead of justice, people will receive anarchy.
“Undermining legitimate judicial appointments leads to the escalation of conflict and the isolation of the judiciary. If these projects come into force, similar problems – only on a larger scale – will affect private cases, such as civil, economic, labor, or family law matters. And only then might people come to their senses when they see the effects firsthand,” warned Pawelczyk-Wojska.
Democracy at a Crossroads
The government is ignoring the constitution, destroying the independence of the judiciary, and introducing authoritarian measures. Is Poland moving towards the rule of law, or is it getting closer to a system where the law becomes a tool of political revenge?
The 35th anniversary of the KRS was supposed to be a moment of celebration but has instead become a sad symbol of the destruction of the justice system. If there is no awakening, Poland may reach a point of no return.