Polish opposition party calls for protest outside Constitutional Tribunal in Warsaw

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - Poland's opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party's Krakow district organization has urged supporters to gather outside the Constitutional Tribunal in Warsaw, accusing authorities of attempting to remove its leadership.

In an appeal titled "In Defense of the Constitutional Tribunal," the party's District No. 13 organization said recent developments surrounding the tribunal required a firm response from citizens.

The appeal said the attempt to remove the tribunal's leadership, accompanied by police presence on its premises, raised concerns about the functioning of state institutions and respect for legal procedures.

"In our assessment, these actions may bear the hallmarks of an attempted coup d'etat and require urgent examination by the relevant state authorities," said the statement.

It also cited the First President of the Supreme Court Zbigniew Kapinski, who it said firmly condemned the actions, warning that allowing one institution to be taken over arbitrarily could open the door to similar actions against others.

The party urged those able to travel to Warsaw to gather outside the tribunal's headquarters, asking supporters to help arrange transportation and share the appeal.

"Today, let us demonstrate that strength through our collective, peaceful presence," it said.

The appeal comes amid a dispute about control of Poland's Constitutional Tribunal, with the government and opposition accusing each other of undermining the rule of law.

Merve Gül Aydoğan Ağlarcı