About populism vs democracy, after 34 years of austerity and other neoliberal dogma, definition of "democracy" in Poland is literally "neoliberalism", so anything that breaks it, even such idiotic moves as PiS rightwing populism is percieved as fundamental danger.

Though the entire shitfest is mostly bullshit and public show. Thing is, before 2015 both PiS and PO were de facto two wings of the same neoliberal party (and direct continuation of the same in case of their predecessors AWS and UW), they enchanged members, and had similar everything, they didn't even fight too much and were commonly and aptly called "POPiS" (which also means "show" in Polish) because they were so close. Of course this was the de facto two-party system, not unlike in USA but with minor parties needed as adds.

PiS broke that deal in 2015 and grabbed everything they can, so PO is now dealing them the same. Problem is, those two parties are still fundamentally just two wings of neoliberal establishment and expect very little change in internal politics, at best returning to 2015 status, and absolutely nothing in foreign politics. Both sides also need themselves to keep their sweet status quo, so those arrested ministers are basically scapegoats.

A lot of public affairs, yelling, mindboggling stunts and affairs to be expected while a new pecking order is established.

Real change might come when Jarosław Kaczyński dies or retires, and PiS might tore itself down, but still i think it would be only real change for PiS and not for Poland.