【Polish Prime Minister’s “Failed Coup,” President Abruptly Returns Mid-Travel】The constitutional crisis surrounding Poland’s Supreme Court has escalated sharply.
The court has effectively been paralyzed due to a dispute over appointments between the government led by Donald Tusk and the presidency. Tusk’s coalition holds control of the parliament.
The central point of contention between the two major political blocs is control over one of the Supreme Court’s chambers.
The court labeled the incident a “coup attempt,” while Prime Minister Tusk countered that his government was “restoring the rule of law.”
The far-right faction has mobilized in defense, opposing what it describes as an EU-backed takeover and its characterization of Tusk as a “puppet” prime minister.
This turmoil transcends simple left-right polarization—it represents a challenge from the center-right government led by Tusk against the far-right forces aligned with the president.
Tusk, a seasoned figure in European politics with multiple stints in Brussels, remains a favored presence among EU institutions. His backing is widely assumed to stem from such circles. (Image: Professor Feng and Prime Minister Tusk, seemingly at ease)
Attempting a coup-like maneuver during the president’s absence was indeed a bold move.
During the episode, the head of Poland’s Constitutional Court attempted to enter the building alongside opposition lawmakers, bringing a locksmith who cut through the metal lock securing the entrance.
President Andrzej Duda learned of the developments while en route to Senegal, immediately shortened his trip, turned his aircraft around mid-flight over Spain, and landed in Warsaw.
At the time, he issued an order for his presidential plane to reverse course: “In moments like these, the president must be in Poland. I have shortened my flight to Senegal and am returning.” This action aimed to preemptively stabilize the situation.
The presidential aircraft became one of the most tracked flights on Flightradar24 during the event.
The military remains under presidential authority.
This explains why Tusk could only deploy police units in his effort to access the court.
The underlying nature of this failed maneuver is Poland’s ongoing constitutional crisis over control of the Constitutional Court. The Tusk government suspended the chief justice linked to the Law and Justice party.
Poland is now governed by two mutually antagonistic camps, neither of which recognizes the other’s legitimacy.
Both sides have leveled accusations of “coup attempts.” This is fundamentally a struggle over institutional authority and political power—not yet a descent into civil conflict.
A likely outcome is further entrenchment of Poland’s prolonged dual legitimacy standoff and institutional paralysis, intensifying political polarization ahead of the next election.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880525478152395/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.