Poland's Tusk-PiS standoff escalates as protesters storm Constitutional Tribunal

Poland's political crisis escalated Friday night as supporters of the PiS party clashed with police outside the Constitutional Tribunal after judges suspended its PiS-aligned president and vice-president, prompting President Nawrocki to call it a "violent takeover." The suspended officials, including President Bogdan Swieczkowski, were appointed during PiS rule (2015-2023). New judges backed by Prime Minister Tusk's coalition suspended them, citing unlawful obstruction. Protesters attempted to cut through the court's fence with an angle grinder but were blocked by riot police. The court has faced years of crisis over politically appointed judges, with EU courts ruling its appointments unlawful. Tusk's government appointed eight new judges this year to gain a majority, though Nawrocki refused to install five. The standoff comes ahead of parliamentary elections in late 2027.