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Opposition leader Donald Tusk called for protests to defend Poland’s continued position in the G-27.
This week, a court challenged the supremacy of EU legislation and widened its differences with Brussels. Mass protests were held across Poland to show support for the EU.
Thousands of people crowded the Castle Square in the historic center of Warsaw on Sunday to show their opposition to the right-wing nationalist government. People chanted “We stay!” and held slogans with slogans such as “We are Europeans.” . Large-scale protests have also occurred in other cities across the country.
Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, has been in conflict with EU officials for the past six years as PiS seeks greater control over the courts. The EU sees these changes as an erosion of democratic checks and balances.
Donald Tusk, the top leader of the Polish opposition and former EU leader, called for protests to defend Poland’s continued membership in the Group of 27.
Donald Tusk, leader of the Polish Opposition Civic Platform Party, speaks to pro-EU demonstrators in Warsaw [Wojtek Radwanski/AFP]In a speech to the crowd, Tusk warned that a “pseudo court” decided to take Poland out of the European Union in accordance with the order of the leader of the ruling party, which violated the Constitution.
“We want an independent, law-abiding, democratic and fair Poland,” Tusk said before the crowd sang the national anthem.
Rory Charans of Al Jazeera’s Warsaw reported that the protesters “believe that they are Europeans and will always be Europeans”, but the recent tensions between Warsaw and Brussels have raised concerns about Poland’s withdrawal from the European Union. Known as “Poland Brexit”.
“No one has said that this is a possibility yet, but it will definitely raise the political temperature here and in Brussels,” Charentz said.
Joining the European Union is very popular in Poland. After the end of communism in 1989, it brought new freedom of travel and dramatic economic transformation to this Central European country.
Kaczynski denies that he wants Poland to leave the European Union, although recent language used by senior members of the ruling party suggests that this may be their goal.
in a Legal decision Earlier this week, at the request of the Polish prime minister, the Constitutional Court declared that some provisions of the EU treaty were “incompatible” with its national legislation and were unconstitutional.
European politicians have spoken Frustrated with the ruling, Which undermines the legal pillars of European integration on which the 27 EU countries depend.
European Commission President Ursula von der Lein said that she is “deeply concerned” and that the EU executive body she leads will do everything possible to ensure the primacy of EU law.
Wojciech Przybylski, editor-in-chief of analysis and media platform Visegrad Insight, told Al Jazeera that “on the one hand, no one wants to leave the EU, even government supporters. On the other hand, no one seems to be able to say’stop’ the conflict that prevents Poland from obtaining EU funding.” .
The EU is delaying the approval of 23 billion euros (26 billion U.S. dollars) in EU grants and 34 billion euros (39 billion U.S. dollars) in cheap loans to help the country weather the COVID-19 economic rebound.
After the European Union Economic Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni (Paolo Gentiloni) warned that the court case may have an impact on the payment of funds for the restoration of the Polish pandemic, Warsaw accused the EU of “extortion”.
EU officials have said that the money may be issued next month, but it will be accompanied by strict legal conditions.
Przybylski stated that political quarrels and a ruling coalition of heterogeneous parties — some of which support a referendum on “Polexit” — are to blame for the widening rift between Warsaw and Brussels.
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