Polish president calls crisis talks after court standoff

Polish President Karol Nawrocki has called for urgent crisis talks after a standoff at the country's constitutional court. President Nawrocki cut short a trip to Senegal and returned to Warsaw following a dramatic confrontation at the court. Police had surrounded the building, and demonstrators chanted and tried to breach security barricades.

The dispute stems from the government's attempt to seize control of the independent constitutional court, which has often ruled in favor of Polish legislation over EU law. President Nawrocki stated that the crisis was a threat to internal security, necessitating immediate talks. Dozens of police guarded the court as demonstrators protested, chanting "Tusk traitor" and other slogans.

US Ambassador Tom Rose warned all sides against actions that could provoke violence or further escalation. The president's plane returned mid-flight, and he met with the suspended court president and other officials before entering the building to initiate the crisis talks.