Polish Nationalism Gets a European Makeover

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS), is playing a sly game with the European Union, the party faithful and his political opponents. The idea is to keep consolidating control over the country while reducing tensions with Brussels and the major powers in Western Europe.

The latest attempt at this high-wire act began on Thursday night, when Prime Minister Beata Szydlo and her deputy Mateusz Morawiecki switched jobs. On Friday, the Polish parliament passed legislation that effectively puts the Supreme Court under political control.