Polish Sejm Elects Six New Constitutional Tribunal Judges as PM Donald Tusk Faces Record Dissatisfaction

The Polish Sejm elected six new judges to the Constitutional Tribunal during a parliamentary session on March 13, 2026. The election fills several long-standing vacancies, as the court had been operating with only nine active members since December 2025. Among the newly appointed judges are Krystian Markiewicz, Maciej Taborowski, and Jacek Dziurda, all of whom were nominated by the Sejm Presidium. Krystian Markiewicz received 236 votes, while Maciej Taborowski and Jacek Dziurda both secured 237 votes, exceeding the required absolute majority of 214. This move is viewed as a pivotal step in the ongoing judicial reforms led by the current government. 6 (judges) — new members elected to the Constitutional Tribunal

The appointments have sparked significant debate regarding the independence of the judiciary, with opposition figures criticizing the candidates' ties to the ruling coalition. Krystian Markiewicz is the current president of the Association of Polish Judges Iustitia, and Maciej Taborowski previously served as the deputy Ombudsman. Critics argue that the selection of high-profile legal activists and former officials compromises the apolitical nature of the court. Proponents of the changes, however, assert that these appointments are necessary to restore the functionality of a tribunal that had been paralyzed by previous legal disputes. The Constitutional Tribunal was established in 1982 and began its judicial activity in 1986. Its primary task is to ensure that lower-level legal norms, such as statutes and regulations, comply with the Constitution of Poland. Since 2015, the body has been the focal point of a systemic conflict involving the executive and legislative branches over the validity of judge appointments.

Public sentiment toward the government appears to be shifting, according to a new poll published on March 14, 2026. The survey indicates that over 60 percent of Poles evaluate the performance of Prime Minister Donald Tusk negatively. Donald Tusk, who has served as Prime Minister since 2023 heading his third cabinet, faces growing criticism as the political fight for power intensifies. While some media outlets describe the poll results as a major setback for the administration, other recent data suggests that the ruling Coalition remains a frontrunner in potential future elections. Constitutional Tribunal Vacancy Status: Active Judges (before: 9, after: 15); Vacant Seats (before: 6, after: 0) „Tyle z niezależności i apolityczności” (So much for independence and apoliticality) — Unnamed critic via Niezalezna.pl

Sejm Vote Results for TK Judges (March 13, 2026): . ; . ; .