Polish president turns plane around as court chief’s suspension sparks protests

Poland is currently experiencing a constitutional crisis following the suspension of Constitutional Tribunal President Bogdan Święczkowski by another judge on Friday, October 30, 2026. This action prompted Polish President Karol Nawrocki to turn his plane around mid-flight from a state visit to Senegal and return to Warsaw. Riot police were deployed to the Constitutional Tribunal building as widespread protests erupted in support of Święczkowski.

The suspension is the latest development in a long-standing power struggle between the current pro-European government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and the nationalist-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, allied with President Nawrocki. The government asserts it is working to restore judicial independence and "depoliticize" the courts, alleging the previous PiS administration engaged in "court packing" by appointing its supporters. Święczkowski, a PiS appointee, had reportedly prevented judges chosen by the current parliamentary majority from assuming their duties, prompting the Justice Minister to seek the lifting of his immunity.

Upon his return, President Nawrocki joined protesters outside the Constitutional Tribunal, where he attempted to enter the building and publicly condemned the events as a "violation of Poland's constitutional order." Meanwhile, the Constitutional Tribunal's official social media account labeled the suspension a "coup d'état," insisting Święczkowski remained president. Prime Minister Tusk, however, defended the government's actions, stating they are necessary to restore the rule of law after years of perceived "lawlessness."