Court move extends independence of Polish WWII museum

In this photo taken Jan. 23, 2017, a man visits the new Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk, Poland. The museum is at the center of a battle over history between its creators, who tell the history of the war by focusing on the suffering of different nations affected, and Poland's nationalist government, which seeks to take control of the museum to change its content to focus it on Polish suffering and military heroism. A court's decision this week has allowed the museum to exist independently for at least a few more weeks. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) (The Associated Press)

In this photo taken Jan. 23, 2017, a visitors is taking a picture during his visit to the new Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk, Poland. The museum is at the center of a battle over history between its creators, who tell the history of the war by focusing on the suffering of different nations affected, and Poland's nationalist government, which seeks to take control of the museum to change its content to focus it on Polish suffering and military heroism. A court's decision this week has allowed the museum to exist independently for at least a few more weeks. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) (The Associated Press)

WARSAW, Poland – A major new World War II museum in Poland unexpectedly gained at least a few more weeks of independence before it is expected to come under government control.

The Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk is at the center of a standoff between the historians creating it and Poland's populist government, which seeks to take control of the museum and change its content to fit its nationalistic worldview.

The two sides have been embroiled in an ongoing legal battle, and the government was expected to gain control of the institution Wednesday. But a last-minute decision by a court announced Tuesday blocks that, at least for some weeks.

Director Pawel Machcewicz said the court's move should allow him to open the museum to the public in about four weeks.