Tusk tells Polish opposition: 'We will not back down'

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in a televised address Saturday that his government will not back down amid an escalating crisis over the Constitutional Tribunal, accusing the opposition PiS party and President Karol Nawrocki of undermining the rule of law. Tusk argued the Tribunal is not independent in its current composition and defended the government's actions, stating that restoring calm cannot mean tolerating illegality. He expressed confidence the court will function properly and independently according to the constitution. The crisis escalated Friday when senior judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska suspended Tribunal President Bogdan Święczkowski, a PiS appointee. Nawrocki cut short a trip to Senegal, attempted to enter the court building, and faced police and protesters, while accusing the government of a "violent takeover."