Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk defended the decision to suspend several senior judges of the Constitutional Tribunal in a televised address on Saturday, October 31. At the same time, he accused the opposition of resorting to violence in an attempt to undermine the rule of law. Specifically, the Polish Prime Minister argued that the Constitutional Tribunal, in its current composition, is not independent, and that his government’s efforts to restore its proper functioning have been systematically obstructed by the Law and Justice party (PiS) and Polish President Karol Nawrocki.
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Tusk sends a clear message: “We will not back down” over the Constitutional Tribunal clash
“We have waited far too long to allow ourselves to be intimidated and forced to retreat now,” Tusk declared. “I am certain that the Constitutional Tribunal will begin to function as it should — independently, autonomously, and in accordance with the Constitution,” he added.
W Polsce prawo wygra z przemocą. https://t.co/t4lvZYeIGP
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) October 31, 2026
The Polish Prime Minister’s televised address came just hours after riot police were deployed outside the Constitutional Tribunal building and two of its senior judges were suspended from their duties. President Nawrocki cut short his trip to Senegal and returned to Warsaw to hold consultations with parliamentary parties on Saturday. However, Tusk’s ruling Civic Coalition declined to participate in the talks.