In Poland, thousands of protesters took to the streets of the capital Warsaw and other cities Thursday, ahead of a vote scheduled today by the ruling Law and Justice party on a bill that would let Parliament appoint Supreme Court judges. Protesters say the measure would end the separation of powers between the executive and the judiciary.

Zbyszek: “Elections took place democratically, but their governing breaks the law, breaks the constitution, so the democracy in Poland practically dies.”

Andrzej: “This new law on the courts is definitely a step in the wrong direction. That is why we want the president to veto these bills.”

In Brussels, the European Union said it was alarmed by the legislation and was considering bringing unprecedented sanctions against one of its member states due to potential human rights abuses.