- Title: Thousands protest after Polish lawmakers approve judiciary overhaul, defying EU
- Date: 21st July 2017
- Summary: PEOPLE STANDING WITH THE CANDLES AT THE FRONT OF THE PARLIAMENT VARIOUS OF PEOPLE STANDING WITH CANDLES, SINGING
- Embargoed: 4th August 2017 01:28
- Keywords: Poland protest Law and Justice party (PiS) Polish lawmakers judiciary overhaul
- Location: WARSAW, POLAND
- City: WARSAW, POLAND
- Country: Poland
- Topics: Lawmaking,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0026QNSRBB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Tens of thousands of Poles protested on Thursday (July 20) against a new law that allows parliament to appoint Supreme Court judges, defying a European Union warning that the move undermines democracy and the rule of law.
The bill, sponsored by the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS), was passed by parliament's lower house earlier in the day after tumultuous debate. That triggered one of the biggest protests since the PiS came to power in late 2015.
The vote came a day after the EU gave its largest formerly communist member state a week to shelve judicial reforms that Brussels says would put courts under direct government control.
Warsaw City Hall estimated the crowd at more than 50,000, while police put it at 14,000. Tens of thousands demonstrated in other Polish cities. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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