Poland’s PM defies EU pressure over constitutional crisis

WARSAW, Poland – Poland’s prime minister has defied pressure from European Union leaders who are urging an end to a dragging political conflict, saying her conservative government will never bow to any ultimatum.

Prime Minister Beata Szydlo was responding Friday to a warning from the EU, which said it will take action next week unless Warsaw takes steps toward ending a stalemate that is paralyzing Poland’s constitutional Tribunal. The EU could recommend ways of fixing the issue and could even impose sanctions in the name of protecting EU values.

Speaking in Parliament, Szydlo drew an outcry from the opposition by saying the “Polish government will never yield to any ultimatum” but only to the will of the Poles. She said Poland was “in dialogue” with the EU and expressed surprise at its tone.