The General Assembly of Judges in Poland is commencing at 11 AM with the goal of selecting five candidates for the position of the First President of the Supreme Court. This selection is crucial as the current president, Małgorzata Manowska, will complete her term in May. The anticipation around this event is heightened due to the varying perspectives on the candidates and the implications for the judiciary's direction in Poland.

Judge Zbigniew Kapiński, the President of the Criminal Chamber, is anticipated as the leading candidate. He has publicly announced his intention to run for the position, stating his readiness to tackle the challenges associated with leading the Supreme Court and his sense of responsibility towards the judiciary. This declaration reflects Kapiński's ambition to steer the court amidst the ongoing discussions and controversies regarding judicial reforms in Poland.

In contrast, Judge Mariusz Załucki from the Civil Chamber has also emerged as a competitor, claiming 60% support in the preliminary elections conducted by his chamber. The rivalry between Kapiński and Załucki underscores the competitive nature of the election and the differing judicial philosophies at play within Poland’s highest court, presenting a significant moment in the ongoing evolution of the judicial landscape in the country.