Poland's Constitutional Tribunal leadership dispute deepens political rift

A leadership dispute at Poland's Constitutional Tribunal has sparked political confrontation, with the court's top two officials suspended and opposition supporters accusing Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government of attempting to seize control of the court. The row began Friday when a notice announced the one-month suspension of the tribunal's president and vice-president, naming judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska as temporary overseer. President Karol Nawrocki cut short a Senegal visit, clashing with judges at the tribunal, while Tusk accused Nawrocki and the PiS party of undermining rule of law. The dispute stems from Nawrocki's refusal to accept oaths of five tribunal judges elected this year, part of a long-running conflict over PiS-era judicial reforms. The European Commission is monitoring developments, and analysts warn the turmoil could deepen political divisions and strain Poland's EU relations.