Sejm Committee Backs Maciej Berek for Constitutional Tribunal Amid Experience Dispute

Parliamentary committee vote

The Sejm Justice and Human Rights Committee positively recommended former minister Maciej Berek for the Constitutional Tribunal on 3 September 2026. Following a two-hour debate, the committee approved Berek's nomination by 16 votes in favor, 10 against, and one abstention. In the same session, the committee rejected the candidate nominated by Law and Justice (PiS), Artur Kotowski, by a vote of 11 in favor, 16 against, and one abstention. If confirmed by the full parliament and sworn in, Berek would secure an eight-to-seven majority for the governing coalition on the 15-member tribunal. The plenary vote to decide between the two candidates is scheduled in the Sejm for Friday, 4 September 2026.

Dispute over professional qualifications

Opposition lawmakers argued that Berek fails the statutory criteria established in Article 30 of the Supreme Court Act, which requires at least 10 years of active practice as a legal counsel, attorney, or notary. Former justice minister Marcin Warchoł pointed out that Berek's private career between leaving the Government Legislation Centre in November 2015 and joining Donald Tusk's cabinet in December 2023 spanned only eight years. Lawmakers Sebastian Kaleta and Arkadiusz Mularczyk stated that public administration posts at the Supreme Audit Office, Senate Chancellery, and Ombudsman office do not constitute legal counsel work under Supreme Court rulings. The legal association Prawnicy dla Polski asserted that practicing law while holding public office violates professional ethics and anti-corruption regulations. Berek published a statement and supporting documentation from the District Chamber of Legal Counsels on the platform X to counter the allegations.

In connection with public allegations that I do not meet the formal requirements as a candidate for judge of the Constitutional Tribunal, I present a certificate from the Dean of the Council of the District Chamber of Legal Counsels, confirming my status as a practicing legal counsel, which fulfills the statutory requirements.

The certificate confirmed that Berek obtained legal counsel qualifications on 25 September 2002 and formally registered practice periods from 1 January 2006 to 31 July 2009, and from 1 August 2012 to the present date. Berek maintained his own law practice between 2022 and 2023, carrying out counsel duties through civil law contracts during the remaining periods.

Political debate and presidential stance

President Karol Nawrocki questioned the nomination on 3 September, expressing reservations about placing an executive cabinet member on the constitutional court.

The last thing the Constitutional Tribunal needs today is another politician in the Tribunal.

Rozwój Plus lawmaker Marcin Horała observed on TVN24 that while the Sejm elects judges, the president holds constitutional authority to administer their oath before they assume office. Within the ruling coalition, The Left parliamentary group leader Anna Maria Żukowska criticized Berek's governmental track record, pointing to his role in advancing deregulation legislation. Deputy Minister of Sport Piotr Borys defended Berek as an experienced legislator, while judge Waldemar Żurek rejected comparisons to earlier political appointments, describing Berek as an apolitical public servant.

Nomination process and plenary vote

Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced Berek's departure from his role as minister for government policy implementation on 11 August 2026, granting conditional approval on 13 August for his judicial bid. Civic Coalition lawmakers formally submitted his candidacy to the Sejm on 17 August 2026. In parliamentary hallways, reporter Samuel Pereira questioned Berek on the relationship between European Court of Justice case C-433/23 and Poland's 2021 Constitutional Tribunal rulings on constitutional supremacy. Berek responded that the tribunal must resume its constitutional functions before departing the interaction.

The Sejm will hold the definitive plenary ballot on 4 September 2026 to choose between Berek and Kotowski.