Former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro accuses Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Minister Adam Bodnar of dismantling Poland’s legal system through unlawful institutional takeovers, political purges, and suppression of key investigations.
Ziobro: “The clock is ticking for this government”
In a heated press conference at the Polish Parliament, former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro unleashed a scathing attack on Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Justice Minister Adam Bodnar. Ziobro accused them of orchestrating a ruthless assault on the rule of law, paralyzing key state institutions, and suppressing independent prosecutors.
“The thief’s hat is on fire. It turns out this case is not as funny as Donald Tusk tried to make it seem. I have bad news for this government: the clock is ticking,” declared Ziobro.
He argued that what is happening in Poland is no longer just a political battle but a direct attempt to crush an investigation that could shake the highest levels of power—including Tusk himself.
Bodnar Preparing to “Bury” the Coup Investigation?
Ziobro pointed to the suspension of prosecutor Michał Ostrowski—who was leading an investigation into an alleged coup—as proof of the government’s intent to suppress politically inconvenient cases.
“This is not just another act of political cleansing,” Ziobro warned. “This is a deliberate move to strangle an investigation that reaches the very top of the government.”
The former justice minister alleged that Tusk’s administration has moved from violating democratic norms to outright political repression.
Systemic Overhaul Through Force?
Ziobro further accused the ruling party of forcefully transforming Poland’s political system outside the legal framework.
“Donald Tusk decided to take a shortcut. He is treating the law like a crowbar. A crowbar that was used to illegally seize control of public media with the help of hired security firms,” he said.
According to Ziobro, this is a direct violation of Poland’s legal order and the separation of powers. “Lacking legislative tools, the government has resorted to brute force to take control of the media, prosecution, and judiciary—effectively executing a coup against the state’s constitutional order,” he added.
Assault on the Constitutional Tribunal and Supreme Court
Ziobro warned that the crackdown extends beyond media and prosecutors, now targeting Poland’s highest courts.
“Tusk and Bodnar are now waging open war against the Constitutional Tribunal and the Supreme Court. They arbitrarily decide which rulings to recognize and which to ignore, introducing legal anarchy,” he claimed.
“Not publishing rulings or rejecting Supreme Court decisions—except for those that suit them—is a blatant attack on the rule of law. Even during the times of General Jaruzelski, such things did not happen!” he exclaimed, referencing Poland’s former communist dictator.
“History Shows That Tyranny Falls”
Despite what he described as an authoritarian power grab, Ziobro believes this administration’s days are numbered.
“This government thinks that by using fear and force, they can take full control over the state,” he said. “But history teaches us that every regime built on violence and repression eventually collapses.”
Referring to Tusk’s shifting strategies, he remarked: “First, there was smiling and joking over ping-pong. Now, we see an outright crackdown. But the endgame will be the defeat of those who have raised their hands against the constitutional order of the Republic of Poland.”
Ziobro warned that Bodnar and Tusk have “crossed the Rubicon” and are moving at full speed toward an authoritarian state. However, he assured that democracy and the rule of law will not go down without a fight.
“Their downfall is coming faster than they think. The rule of law will not allow itself to be destroyed without resistance,” he concluded.
Ziobro’s accusations mark a dramatic escalation in Poland’s political conflict. While the government argues that it is restoring democratic principles, the opposition sees a full-scale dismantling of state institutions. The battle over the country’s legal and political future is far from over.