Poland crisis: Donald Tusk strikes defiant tone vowing ‘no compromise’ on rule of law after Tribunal clash

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has vowed that the rule of law will prevail over violence after a confrontation at the Constitutional Tribunal deepened a decade-long dispute over Poland's top court. In a televised address on Saturday, Tusk called Friday's events scandalous. He said judges elected by parliament had taken their oaths but were being blocked from taking up their duties. President Karol Nawrocki had tried to enter the building as police surrounded it. The dispute centers on eight new judges Nawrocki did not formally receive their oaths while tribunal president Bogdan Siewieczkowski refused to let them take up their posts. The opposition accuses Tusk's government of a coup. The government says it is restoring judicial independence. European Commission said it was closely monitoring the crisis. It said appointing eight new tribunal members falls within parliament's constitutional powers and that Polish authorities must ensure the court followed the constitution and EU court rulings. European conservatives and reformists group backed Nawrocki accusing Tusk's government of violating the rule of law. Tusk offered no detailed plan to end the standoff, but pledged to ensure the court could function independently. Peace out.