More than half of Poles do not trust the Constitutional Tribunal – according to the latest survey by CBOS (Public Opinion Research Center). A lack of trust in the Constitutional Tribunal is declared by 55.7% of respondents.
Two days ago, the head of the Presidential Chancellery, Zbigniew Bogucki, announced that this week President Karol Nawrocki will submit a motion to the Constitutional Tribunal to resolve a competence dispute regarding the oath-taking of judges in the Sejm. As he admitted, it concerns an assessment of “whether it was possible to carry out this farce, this buffoonery”, and the president’s decision is to be based on the provisions of the Constitution.
Do Poles trust the Constitutional Tribunal?
In connection with these events, a major public debate has erupted around the Constitutional Tribunal. Polls are also being published.
Respondents in the CBOS survey were asked how much they trust the Constitutional Tribunal as an institution responsible for safeguarding the Constitution. The results indicate a clear predominance of negative assessments.
A lack of trust – both strong and moderate – is declared by 55.7% of respondents. In contrast, 30.7% of those surveyed assess the Constitutional Tribunal positively, expressing trust in it. The remaining respondents have no formed opinion on the matter.
Greatest distrust in large cities
The highest level of criticism toward the Tribunal was recorded among residents of the largest urban areas. In cities with more than 500,000 inhabitants, as many as 61.9% of respondents declare a lack of trust in the Constitutional Tribunal.
Breakdown by political views
The survey also shows clear differences in assessments depending on declared political views. Among people identifying as right-wing, more than half – 52.7% – express a lack of trust in the Tribunal, while 36.7% declare trust. At the same time, nearly one in ten right-wing respondents indicates strong trust in this institution.
An even higher level of distrust is visible among people with left-wing and centrist views. In these groups, it reaches nearly 60%, showing widespread skepticism toward the functioning of the Constitutional Tribunal.
Persistently low level of trust
The results of the CBOS survey fit into a long-term trend of low public trust in the Constitutional Tribunal. The data show that the institution, which formally stands guard over the Constitution, remains for many Poles of limited credibility.