Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal Turns Into Riot Police Stronghold as PM Backs Court

Riot police have set up a guard post at Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal, turning the marble‑lined building into a de‑facto police outpost. Since Friday afternoon the officers have been on duty, while several hundred protesters have formed a perimeter demanding the reinstatement of the tribunal’s president.

The atmosphere inside the court is a mix of legal gravitas and the unmistakable presence of riot police – a surreal combination that makes the usual solemnity of judicial proceedings feel like a scene from a bureaucratic comedy. The prime minister has publicly vowed his support for the tribunal, a pledge that adds a political layer to the already tense standoff.

Outside, the crowd is loud enough to be heard but not large enough to become a full‑scale riot, a precise calibration that suggests a professional approach to protest. Their demand is clear: the president of the Constitutional Tribunal should be reinstated, a figure currently absent from the courtroom.

The situation highlights a clash not just over legal authority but over who gets to occupy the space when the law itself seems to be in limbo. The prime minister’s vow of support underscores the political stakes of the crisis, while the riot police continue their watch, turning the court’s entrance into an unexpected showcase of democratic tension.