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Bogdan Święczkowski został nowym przewodniczącym Trybunału Konstytucyjnego w Polsce. Prezydent Andrzej Duda ogłosił tę decyzję, podkreślając doświadczenie Święczkowskiego. Zmiana ta ma miejsce w czasie politycznych napięć . Poprzednia przewodnicząca, Julia Przyłębska, zrezygnowała ze stanowiska. Ta nominacja wywołała różne reakcje i trwa debata o praworządności w Polsce.

Translation

Bogdan Święczkowski has become the new President of the Constitutional Tribunal in Poland. President Andrzej Duda announced this decision, highlighting Święczkowski's experience. This change occurs amidst political tensions. The previous president, Julia Przyłębska, resigned from the position. This appointment has sparked various reactions and continues the debate about the rule of law in Poland.

Exercise: Text comprehension

Question 1: Who appointed Bogdan Święczkowski as the head of the Polish Constitutional Tribunal?

President Andrzej Duda appointed Bogdan Święczkowski.

Question 2: What happened to the previous head of the Polish Constitutional Tribunal?

The previous head, Julia Przyłębska, resigned from her position.

Exercise: Vocabulary

(m.) - chairman

(m.) - tribunal

- emphasise

(n.) - tension

- resign

(f.) - rule of law

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▌10/12/2024

Bogdan Święczkowski, a former national prosecutor, has been appointed as the new head of Poland's Constitutional Tribunal. President Andrzej Duda announced the decision, emphasizing Święczkowski's extensive experience in managing complex institutions as crucial for his new role amid ongoing political tensions and debates about the rule of law in Poland. This appointment follows the resignation of the former president of the Tribunal, Julia Przyłębska.

The president highlighted Święczkowski's capability in decision-making, a trait he deemed essential during "times of political upheaval and battles over constitutionality and the rule of law." Duda expressed confidence in Święczkowski's qualifications, acknowledging his past roles which include senior positions in Poland's prosecutorial and security services, such as leading the Internal Security Agency and serving as a deputy minister of justice.

Julia Przyłębska resigned from her position at the end of November, shortly before her judicial term concluded. The resignation brought about a need for a prompt replacement, leading to Święczkowski's nomination among two candidates presented to the president by the tribunal's general assembly of judges, the other being Bartłomiej Sochański.

Bogdan Święczkowski Appointed Head of Polish Constitutional Tribunal Bogdan Święczkowski Appointed Head of Polish Constitutional Tribunal (Illustration)

Święczkowski's appointment has stirred political responses, with the former president Przyłębska reportedly supporting Sochański for the role. Analysts perceive this move as a shift in internal power dynamics within the tribunal, emphasizing Święczkowski's strong political ties with the ruling party, Law and Justice (PiS), and key figures such as Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro.

The Tribunal's current composition has faced criticism due to perceived biases and concerns about the legitimacy of its judgments. The Polish parliament recently passed a resolution addressing the constitutional crisis from 2015 to 2023, noting that outcomes from the Tribunal perceived as legally flawed may breach principles of legality. Since the resolution's passage, the Tribunal's rulings have not been published in the official journal, reflecting ongoing turmoil in its operations.

Experts and critics continue to question the legal framework and the process of nominating judges to the tribunal, with doubts about the legitimacy of current tribunal members, sometimes referred to as "judge-doubles." As the Tribunal stands in a state of transition, the future of its operational and legal standing remains a topic of significant concern within Poland and among international observers.

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