Tusk's warning from Brussels

Prime Minister Donald Tusk spoke to reporters on Friday, 16 October, at a briefing after an EU summit in Brussels. He was responding to a demonstration planned for Saturday, 17 October, in front of the Constitutional Tribunal (TK) on Al. Szucha in Warsaw. Tusk said the Tribunal would begin working in a constitutional form and would issue rulings, whether or not some people liked it.

“The Tribunal will begin its work in a constitutional form, whether someone likes it or not, and will issue verdicts.”

Tusk said it was 'key' to remove the Tribunal's chairman, Święczkowski, whom he described as functioning illegally. He added that the government had not wanted an open conflict, so it had waited while judicial terms ran out and the Sejm elected more judges, in order to restore order at the Tribunal gradually. Tusk also named Kaczyński and Nawrocki as opponents, saying they knew how many actions had been taken against the constitution.

Protesters and the call to rally

Demonstrators have been present in front of the Tribunal building on Al. Szucha for several weeks. Organisers have been calling on Poles to join Saturday's demonstration for several days. Kaczyński, the Law and Justice (PiS) leader, encouraged people to attend on Friday and said the demonstration had to take place.

“The demonstration must take place, there must be opposition.”

Kaczyński said the Tribunal dispute involved breaking the law 'in every possible way' and urged his side not to yield but to go on the attack. Tusk added that buses and PiS groups would gather at the Tribunal, describing the crowds there as small groups.

“There are small groups gathering under the Tribunal, but quite aggressive ones. We will deal with them.”

Police and the injured officer

Tusk said police would act firmly, particularly against clear acts of aggression such as the one that injured a policewoman on Friday. She was taken to hospital and needed treatment there, though Tusk said nothing about her injuries was dangerous. He also said very concrete threats were coming toward him personally from that location, adding that he had grown used to them.

Tomasz Sakiewicz, a journalist commenting on TV Republika, said he did not believe police would use force against thousands of peaceful Poles. He urged people to beware of provocateurs and to film events, and accused Tusk of trying to make police and citizens hate each other.

What happens next

The rally is scheduled for Saturday, 17 October, in front of the TK building, where protesters have been gathering for several weeks. Tusk said the government would keep waiting for further judicial appointments through the Sejm as terms expire. He insisted the government would not give way, saying 'we will certainly not yield' in his briefing remarks.