What is happening in Poland: Simply put, there is now a very serious political crisis in Poland. Very simply: the two main forces of the state did not share control of the Constitutional Court (the supreme court that checks whether laws are in accordance with the constitution), and because of this street protests began. This is how it looks step by step: who fights with whom.
On the one hand, Prime Minister Donald Tusk (his party came to power in 2023 and wants to "reactivate" the courts, which they believe were too political under the previous government). On the other side is President Carol Noruki (he is associated with the opposition party "Law and Justice", which ruled until 2023). what happened this week
The parliament, where Tusk has a majority, appointed new judges to the Constitutional Court. But President Noruki refused to swear them in, considering it illegal. Then the judge, loyal to the government, temporarily deposed the old head of the court (appointed in the previous government) and took his place herself. Reaction and protests.
Opposition supporters called it a "coup" and took to the streets. Hundreds of people with flags gathered at the court in Warsaw, they demanded Tusk's resignation and tried to break in. The police arrested someone. President Noruki cut short his visit to Africa and urgently returned to Poland. At night he arrived at the court, where, according to the reports, a small scuffle even took place involving the judge, who declared herself the new leader. Why is this important?
This is not just a dispute over positions. This is a fight about who is responsible in the country and whose rules will apply. The Prime Minister says he is restoring the rule of law. The president and the opposition say he is usurping power. And while they argue, the country is actually divided, and people take to the streets.
In short: in Poland there is now an intense struggle for control of the judicial system, and it has led to clashes in the street.