Polish president addresses MPs, Senators, marking 550 years of parliament

On July 13, 1468, Polish noblemen decided they would hold a session of parliament in November that year, thus starting one of Europe's oldest parliamentary traditions.

"I deeply believe that we, Poles, a great and wise civic nation, will know how to draw inspiration from 550 years of parliamentary heritage," Polish President Andrzej Duda said during an address to a National Assembly, a gathering of Polish MPs and senators.

Opposition walkout

But members of parliament from the Modern and Polish People's Party groupings walked out of the National Assembly before the president started his address, while members from the Civic Platform, Poland's largest opposition party, boycotted the event altogether, holding separate celebrations instead.

"We cannot be with those who break the law," Civic Platform leader Grzegorz Schetyna said at a joint celebration held for his and the Modern parties.

The walkout was called reportedly "childish" by Deputy Sejm Speaker from the Kukiz'15 party, Stanisław Tyszka.

Politicians from the Kukiz'15 party remained at the National Assembly because "we will not ever be offended at our country", although "we strongly disagree with Law and Justice's policies," Tyszka said.

Protests

During the National Assembly, Poland's anti-government Committee for the Defence of Democracy held an anti-government protest at the Castle Square outside the Royal Castle in opposition to sweeping changes to the country's judiciary which Brussels has said undermines the independence of Polish courts.

(vb/pk)