WARSAW, Poland (AP) – The European Parliament is preparing to hold its fourth debate on the state of democracy in Poland since a populist party won power last year and moved quickly to cement its hold on power.
The debate Wednesday afternoon comes a day after the Polish parliament passed two new laws that are being denounced by civic groups and the political opposition as violations of democratic freedoms.
One law gives state authorities greater power to regulate public gatherings.
The other regulates how the Constitutional Tribunal works and the status of its judges. Its provisions are legally complex, but will give the executive branch greater control over the court and weaken the separation of powers envisioned in Poland’s constitution.
The vote on public gatherings goes next to the president to be signed, while the law on the constitutional court must still be debated in the Senate, which could request some changes.