Hundreds of furious Polish citizens rallied outside the European Commissions’ offices in Warsaw on Saturday in protest against Brussels‘ alleged infringement on their sovereignty.
The relationship between the EU and Poland has become increasingly at odds, as many Poles charge the European body with trying to prevent government reforms.
The protest was organised by the infamous trade union group ‘Solidarity’ which historically led the revolt against the Soviet regime in the country.
The European Union is currently considering whether to strip Warsaw of its voting rights in the bloc, in what would be an unprecedented move.
Brussels has handed Warsaw one month to respond to concerns about its overhaul of the judiciary or else face a court challenge.
Piotr Duda, chairman of Solidarity, said: “We can not allow the legitimate occupation of our country, because for the last 27 years we have been a colony for the old Fifteen of the European Union.
“We were talked out and we are still exploited and we have to finish it.
“We speak loudly in this place, in front of the European Commission office: Mr. Juncker, Mr. Timmermans – our law – our choice.
“We respect Polish women, as opposed to you, and it is no discrimination only privilege.”
He added: “We are here in Warsaw but if we have to we will go to Brussels because the Solidarity trade union is first and foremost an effective union that starts the issues and ends them.”
Earlier this week, Frans Timmermans, principal vice president of the European Commission, warned that the Polish government’s “anti-democratic” actions could tank the country’s economy.
Mr Timmermans, a former Dutch foreign minister, said the Polish government is generally flouting the fundamental EU principle that the judiciary must be free from political interference.
He said: “I absolutely hope that we can finally start a real dialog with the Polish government to solve these issues.
“Over the last year and a half, I’ve been bending over backward trying.”