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Protesters in Warsaw
Photo: Czarek Sokolowski / AP
In Poland, thousands of people across the country demonstrated against a controversial ruling by the Constitutional Court and for their country to remain in the EU.
In Warsaw, the demonstrators gathered in Palace Square.
They waved Polish and European flags and shouted: "We stay!" And "We are Europe!"
There were also protests in Gdansk, Poznan, Szczecin, Krakow and many other cities.
The country's Constitutional Court recently ruled that certain elements of EU law violated the Polish Constitution.
This gave national law priority over EU law.
This decision is fueling the conflict between the EU Commission and Warsaw over the reform of the Polish judicial system.
Donald Tusk had called for the protests
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Opposition leader Donald Tusk at the rally
Photo: KACPER PEMPEL / REUTERS
Former EU Council President and Polish opposition leader Donald Tusk called for the protests.
During his appearance in front of the demonstrators in Warsaw, he said that the national-conservative ruling party PiS was no longer talking about wanting to lead the country out of the EU.
"Poland's place is in Europe," said Tusk.
"We will win, because we are more!" Both Tusk and other speakers were repeatedly interrupted by loud interjections and chants from a counter-demonstration by right-wing national groups.
The PiS government has been restructuring the judiciary for years.
Critics accuse her of putting judges under pressure.
Due to the reforms, the EU Commission has already opened several infringement proceedings against Warsaw and filed suits with the European Court of Justice.
more on the subject
European Community: Not a cent more for Poland A comment by Markus Becker, Brussels
Court ruling against EU law: Warsaw's challenge to EuropeBy Markus Becker, Brussels
"Exhaust all means"
After the ruling by the Constitutional Court, the EU Commission could initiate a new procedure to protect the rule of law in the EU states, which could lead to a reduction in EU funds for Poland.
Billions in EU corona aid for Poland have not yet been approved due to concerns about the rule of law.
Brussels will use "all means" to ensure that EU law is respected in Poland, EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said on Thursday.
The principle that EU law takes precedence over national law, as well as the binding character of decisions by the EU judiciary, are central to the confederation of states.
slü / dpa
