The last hours brought another installment of political tensions in Poland.
The president of the Constitutional Tribunal Bogdan Święczkowski informed of the submission of a announcement to the prosecutor on the suspicion of a “ creeping” coup which would be committed, among others, by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, talker of the Sejm Simon Hołownia and talker of the legislature of Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska.
His words have sparked a broad debate and the legal situation surrounding this announcement remains unclear. Święczkowski stated that "this is not a coup d'état in the classical sense – with the usage of military or force – but a creeping, systemic coup d'état on the constitutional order of the state".
In consequence to this announcement Prosecutor Michał Ostrowski initiated an investigation.
Święczkowski, in an interview with RMF FM, expressed concerns that "we are close to a situation where within six months, a year the armed forces or police will be brought to the streets to effort to halt social protests."
When asked if there was evidence of a coup, TK president replied:
“I see what is happening. For respective months now we have been dealing with attempts to overthrow the constitutional system. I cannot, as the president of the Constitutional Tribunal, respond to this.”
Comparing the situation in Poland to historical events, Święczkowski said:
"History of master's degree vitae est. You can remember Benito Mussolini coming to power. I don't want to talk about another characters, but be vigilant.”
RMF FM writer asked whether it was possible for the Donald Tusk government to introduce martial law according to Świętczkowski. The president of the Constitutional Tribunal avoided a clear answer, but noted:
‘I don't mention names. I don't know who's moving this trial. possibly they are people outside the borders of Poland”
Prime Minister Donald Tusk responded to the accusations of Święczkowski, who commented in a mocking way during the ping-pong match. This in turn caused even more outrage to the president of the Constitutional Tribunal, who criticised the Prime Minister for "lack of interest in the Polish state and law".
Jarosław Kaczyński stood up for the president of the Constitutional Tribunal, who supported his position and stressed that the current government was violating constitutional order.
Regardless of the further improvement of events, there is no uncertainty that the Polish political scene is facing another serious conflict – both at the legal and organization level.
