Polish president holds crisis talks as the court standoff deepens: Tusk's party stays away

President Karol Nawrocki met nationalist, far-right and some governing-coalition parties on Saturday, citing a threat to internal security. Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Civic Coalition did not attend, and no breakthrough had emerged by the afternoon.

For years in Poland there exist organisations and politicians who wish to destroy democracy and rule of law.

— Prime Minister Donald Tusk

Tusk called the removal of Constitutional Tribunal chief judge Bogdan Swieczkowski "painful" but necessary. The court's own account called it a "coup d'etat", and Law and Justice supporters gathered outside the court.

What's next

The European Commission urged Nawrocki on Saturday to accept the nomination of new judges. The US ambassador called on all sides for calm.