Poland has not breached democratic standards: PM

“No principles have been breached or overstepped related to the functioning of a democratic state” or the rule of law, Szydło said. “We respect and comply with EU treaties. We are a member of the European Union and we are proud of it."

Last week the European Commission announced a probe into whether controversial laws pushed through by Szydło’s ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party violate EU standards.

On Tuesday, Szydło is to take part in a European Parliament debate amid a slew of international criticism over changes to the media and judiciary introduced by Law and Justice, which was elected in October. PiS has denied eroding democracy in Poland.

Speaking to reporters at Warsaw airport as she prepared to fly out to Strasbourg, Szydło said: "Things in Poland are going in the right direction and the changes we are making are dictated above all by our commitment to voters who gave us a mandate in democratic elections."

She added: "We also want the EU to understand that Poland, as a sovereign state, has the right to make internal decisions that serve the citizens of the country."

(pk)

Source: PAP