Maciej Berek was sworn in as a judge of Poland’s Constitutional Court in parliament without President Karol Nawrocki present. The ceremony prompted a demonstration by supporters of the right-conservative Law and Justice party (PiS) outside the court in Warsaw, where clashes with police reportedly led to three arrests.

Nawrocki has refused to swear in Berek, arguing that he does not meet the legal requirements and objecting to his political background. Berek disputes this. Constitutional Court President Bogdan Święczkowski, who is associated with PiS, does not recognise the swearing-in and has refused to allow Berek to begin work. Berek is the fifth judge to take the oath without the president present; four other judges elected by parliament this year also have not been allowed to work. The Venice Commission has said that judges may take the oath in the president’s absence if he refuses to administer it, although its opinion is not binding. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he would restore the rule of law and the constitution.