Polish President Slams Late-Night Arrest in an Escalating Political Chaos

Duda expresses shock over detention of two former officials
The standoff may complicate efforts to release blocked EU aid

WATCH: Two former Polish ruling party officials were arrested at the presidential palace late Tuesday. Piotr Skolimowski reports.Source: Bloomberg

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By Natalia Ojewska and Agnieszka Barteczko

January 10, 2024 at 11:13 AM UTC

Updated on

January 10, 2024 at 1:19 PM UTC

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Polish President Andrzej Duda condemned the late-night arrest of two former ruling party lawmakers at the presidential palace, a dramatic escalation of the power struggle with the new pro-European government under Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

The standoff lays bare the challenge the premier will have in dismantling eight years of nationalist rule and lifting the suspension of nearly €60 billion ($65 billion) in European Union aid. Duda, an ally of the former populist administration, wields veto power over legislation needed to carry out the overhaul.