WARSAW — Prime Minister Donald Tusk has proposed a private meeting with President Karol Nawrocki this week in an effort to calm a political crisis over the composition of Poland's Constitutional Tribunal. Speaking after a session of the National Security Council, Tusk said he was ready for a one-to-one conversation to explore ways to permanently lower the temperature.
"I am ready this week for a one-to-one meeting so that we can consider how to reduce this tension permanently," Tusk told reporters. He acknowledged that the two sides would likely remain far apart on many substantive issues, but stressed they shared a common responsibility for the country's stability.
The prime minister said he hoped to work with the head of state to find solutions that would shield Poland from future political upheavals. "We both feel a shared responsibility to try, in the face of the mounting threat from the east, to look wherever it is possible for agreement on security and internal order, and to calm these emotions," he added.
Tusk declined to specify a date for the encounter, saying the timing would not be disclosed. "We want to talk one to one without this pressure, without the political jitters. Sometimes such a face to face conversation, in calm, brings certain solutions," he explained.
Presidential office confirms request
Officials from the President's Office confirmed that the request for a meeting had been received. Spokesperson Rafał Leśkiewicz noted that Nawrocki had repeatedly declared his readiness to talk whenever the prime minister asked. "When the meeting is due to take place, we will inform people once the date has been set," he said.
Presidential minister Marcin Przydacz, when asked about the timing, pointed out that Nawrocki was due to travel to Slovakia on Wednesday for a summit of Visegrad Group presidents. In a pointed remark, Przydacz added: "I hope that during that time the prime minister will not be using the police to take over any constitutional bodies of the state."
The crisis escalated dramatically on Friday night when Nawrocki attempted to enter the Tribunal building amid a deadlock over the appointment of new judges. Police surrounded the building as the confrontation unfolded live on television, drawing attention to the crisis beyond Poland and into the wider European political debate.
The opposition has accused Tusk's government of attempting a coup, while the government insists it is pushing ahead with long-needed reforms to restore the rule of law after years of interference by the previous Law and Justice (PiS) administration in the judiciary.
The European Commission said on Saturday it was closely monitoring the situation. A spokesperson told Euronews: "It is for the Polish authorities to ensure that the Constitutional Tribunal can operate in accordance with the Polish constitution and with respect for the relevant case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union."
The standoff has also drawn attention to the broader regional context, with European troops rehearsing post-war support missions in Poland as security concerns mount. Tusk's reference to the "threat from the east" underscores the delicate balance between internal political disputes and external security challenges.
Observers note that the crisis is being closely watched in Brussels, where the Commission has been pressing Warsaw to comply with EU judicial standards. The outcome of the talks could have significant implications for Poland's relationship with the EU and for the stability of the region.
As the political drama unfolds, the Polish public remains divided. Some see the government's actions as a necessary correction to years of judicial capture, while others view them as a dangerous power grab. The proposed meeting between Tusk and Nawrocki may offer a rare opportunity for dialogue, but both sides have signaled that their core positions remain unchanged.
