Poland's government suspends top judge, sparking constitutional crisis

Poland faces a constitutional crisis as Prime Minister Donald Tusk suspended the Constitutional Tribunal's chief justice, igniting a confrontation with President Karol Nawrocki over the court's future. Tusk's government suspended Chief Justice Bogdan Święczkowski and his deputy after he blocked a new judge nominated by parliament. Nawrocki, a PiS ally, called it a "forcible takeover" and cut short a trip to Africa, while riot police reinforced security around the court in Warsaw. The dispute stems from PiS-era judicial appointments that drew EU criticism and froze $137 billion in funding. Analysts warn both sides risk undermining rule of law, with elections due next year amid security threats from Russia's war in Ukraine.