Poland's top court claims ‘coup d’etat’ as riot police deployed and protests branded ‘very serious’ by Nigel Farage

Poland’s top court has accused Prime Minister Donald Tusk of launching a coup as riot police were deployed to and entered the Constitutional Tribunal in Warsaw amid clashes with protesters. The constitutional crisis was triggered by the removal of Tribunal President Bogdan Swieczkowski while President Karol Nawrocki, an ally of Poland’s previous Eurosceptic Law and Justice (PiS) party government, was flying to Senegal. President Nawrocki has cut short his international visit and is currently racing back to Poland amid the standoff between the pro-EU Government of Mr Tusk and those connected to its PiS predecessors. Polish Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek has demanded that the court strip Constitutional Tribunal President Święczkowski, who previously served as PiS deputy justice minister, and Vice-President Bartłomiej Sochański of their immunity from prosecution so that criminal charges can be brought. "All persons participating in these actions are committing the crime of a coup d'etat," the Constitutional Tribunal said in a social media post. “A coup d’état is underway in Poland,” MEP Arkadiusz Mularczyk wrote on X. “The forces acting on behalf of the current government have unlawfully entered the Constitutional Tribunal and are preventing legally appointed judges from entering.” Mr Tusk also addressed the chaos on social media, insisting that “restoring the rule of law is our duty”. "After years of PiS-led lawlessness, this is a difficult process, sometimes painful, and it requires decisive action. There is no other way. "Either you will lead them out after a year of parliament, or they will lead us out of the European Union,” he added. In dramatic scenes, President Nawrocki was filmed attempting to enter the Constitutional Tribunal, pushing through security to enter the Constitutional Tribunal after cancelling his trip to Senegal. And in a statement released at 4.11am, he said a "violation of the constitutional order of the Republic of Poland occurred". He said the First President of the Supreme Court - a separate legal body - did not recognise the actions taken by "individuals usurping power" as legal, and called for the restoration of legal order and for security forces to leave the Tribunal. President Nawrocki added that he was now calling an "urgent consultation" to stabilise the political situation. Reacting to the scenes, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “The situation in Poland is very serious. Arrests and a raid on the constitutional court - all to defend the undemocratic EU.” LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Earlier this year, President Nawrocki refused to swear in three judges appointed by parliament. Tribunal President Swieczkowski had also refused to allow judges elected by the current parliamentary majority to assume their duties. The European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the European Union had previously ruled that the PiS majority had improperly elected three judges. They ruled that the top court was no longer an "independent and impartial tribunal". Since then, Mr Tusk’s government has sought to undo PiS-government reforms using the EU’s ruling as a justification. Outside the courthouse, police said objects had been hurled at officers by protesters. The force said it had been deployed after receiving letters from the Prosecutor General and Anna Korwin-Piotrowska, a judge on the tribunal, warning of threats to judges and staff. PiS leader Jarsolaw Kaczynski joined protesters outside and attempted to force his way into the court building. Three people were arrested for attempting to enter the building, local media have reported, citing Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek blamed the Tribunal President for the chaos, accusing him of turning the constitutional court into his "private fiefdom", according to Politico. Two ambassadors have now resigned as a result of Constitutional Tribunal President Święczkowski's suspension and subsequent chaos. Jakub Kumoch, Poland's ambassador to China, said on social media: "In light of the events in the country, I have concluded that it is no longer possible for me to continue serving as the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland. As of today, I have submitted my resignation and a request for recall." Foreign Affairs Minister Radosław Sikorski hit back on social media, saying he acknowledged the "unprofessional conclusion of your mission". And Paweł Soloch, the country's ambassador to Romania, said: "In connection with the fact of an attempt to unlawfully take over the Constitutional Tribunal, I see no possibility of continuing to serve as the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Romania." US Ambassador to Poland Tom Rose has released a statement reacting to the uproar in further diplomatic movement. He said: "Whatever the facts ultimately establish, thousands gathering outside the Tribunal make an already dangerous situation more combustible. "The last thing Poland needs is a confrontation that spirals into something far worse. "America is on Poland’s side. It is not our place to judge or interfere in its internal affairs. Our concern is for the stability, security, and democratic future of a country we are proud to call our friend and ally." Follow related topics: