Posted 1/9/2024, 8:59:00 PM
Polish Political Crisis Deepens As Police Arrest Controversial MPs At President's Palace
- Polish police arrested two MPs who were hiding in the presidential palace under protection of President Duda after being sentenced to prison for abuse of power
- The arrests escalate the battle between Duda and new PM Tusk over restoring rule of law and undoing changes made by the previous conservative government
- Duda insists he pardoned the MPs in 2015, but courts have ruled the pardon invalid; there is a dispute over whether the MPs can retain their seats
- The fight highlights the challenge Tusk's government faces in reforming institutions like the judicial system that were altered under the previous administration
- Tusk's administration aims to bring Poland back into compliance with EU rules to access frozen funds and restore its role as a European power player