On December 18, 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal breached fundamental principles of EU law and cannot be considered independent or impartial. The court cited serious irregularities in the appointment of the tribunal’s president and several judges, most of whom were installed under the former Law and Justice (PiS) government. The ruling held that the tribunal undermined effective judicial protection and the primacy of EU law, particularly through decisions asserting the supremacy of Poland’s constitution over EU law. While Poland’s current pro-EU government says the judgment requires corrective action, the tribunal rejected the ruling and denied the EU court’s authority—highlighting the ongoing institutional standoff over judicial independence and the rule of law in Poland.