Tusk accuses Russia of exploiting constitutional crisis

Poland’s constitutional crisis has escalated into an open dispute between Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government and President Karol Nawrocki over the leadership and operation of the Constitutional Tribunal. Tusk accuses Russia and pro-Russian actors of exploiting the conflict to deepen instability, while Russian officials have portrayed the government’s actions as a coup; the Russian Embassy did not immediately comment on the allegations. Tusk also said authorities mobilized forces after reports of suspicious activity near the border with Russia’s Kaliningrad region and prevented what he called a provocation, but gave no details about who was involved. The dispute is also weighing on Tusk politically: a poll cited by one report found 47.4% favored his resignation, compared with 38.3% who wanted him to remain in office.