On October 31, 2026, Polish President Karol Nawrocki found himself at the center of a scandal after being accused of using physical force against judges of the Constitutional Tribunal. The incident occurred at night when Nawrocki, accompanied by the first head of the tribunal Zbigniew Kapiński, entered the court building.
Details of the Incident
According to reports, the president bypassed a police cordon by climbing over a low wall and headed directly to the Constitutional Tribunal building. Judge Maciej Berek published a video showing Nawrocki attempting to push past a judge standing at the door. In the video, he says, "Excuse me, ma'am," while pushing the judge aside.
Accusations and Reactions
Judge Berek claims that the president "used physical force" against the judges during this incident. In response to these allegations, the president's spokesperson Rafał Leskiewicz stated that "usurpers" were obstructing the president's entry into the court, thus "violating his inviolability." This conflict has sparked significant public and political discourse in Poland.