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Poland’s justice minister does not rule out banning parties that promote violence

04.12.2025 09:27
Waldemar Żurek told the Polish state news agency PAP that he does not rule out banning political parties with a strongman structure that encourage violence and break the law, provided such action is taken by a lawfully constituted Constitutional Tribunal.
Waldemar Żurek
Waldemar ŻurekPhoto: PAP/Marcin Obara

Żurek argued that the current Constitutional Tribunal is not properly constituted, as it includes individuals who were not validly appointed, which in his view renders its rulings non-binding.

This situation, he noted, poses a practical challenge because the Tribunal is the only body empowered to outlaw political parties, while many of its recent decisions remain unpublished in Poland’s official journal.

When asked about Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński’s earlier comments on TVN24 concerning the possible banning of the far-right Confederation of the Polish Crown, Żurek pointed to what he described as “habitual violations of the law” by its leader, Grzegorz Braun.

Examples he referenced include the extinguishing of Hanukkah candles in parliament and allegations of assaulting a doctor - incidents that may constitute criminal offenses but require proof through proper legal proceedings.

According to Żurek, strongman-style organisations promoting violence or displaying sympathies for totalitarian ideologies could ultimately face delegalisation if all statutory criteria are met.

The minister also underlined that any such decision must follow a lawful procedure to avoid compensation claims and challenges before the European Court of Human Rights.

(mp)

Source: PAP/TVN24