EU Commission backs Polish parliament's right to appoint Constitutional Court judges

The European Commission said Saturday it is closely monitoring Poland's Constitutional Tribunal crisis, affirming that the Polish parliament has the constitutional right to appoint judges to the court. The statement follows a live-televised confrontation outside the Tribunal building on Friday night that has intensified a decade-old dispute. A Commission spokesperson told Euronews that Polish authorities must ensure the Tribunal functions per the constitution and EU case law, noting the Sejm's appointment of eight new members falls within its constitutional powers. The spokesperson referenced a European Court of Human Rights ruling from May 2026 requiring Polish authorities to refrain from hindering judges appointed by parliament in March 2026. Prime Minister Donald Tusk condemned Friday's events as "scandalous incidents" and vowed to restore independent justice, while European Conservatives and Reformists co-chairs backed President Karol Nawrocki and accused Tusk's government of violating the rule of law. The dispute stems from a 2015 clash over judicial appointments and has evolved into a broader conflict over judicial independence and the Tribunal's authority.