Thousands protest after Polish lawmakers approve judiciary overhaul, defying EU


People protest against supreme court legislation in Wroclaw, Poland, July 20, 2017. Agencja Gazeta/Mieczyslaw Michalak/via REUTERS

WARSAW (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Poles protested on Thursday against a new law that allows parliament to appoint Supreme Court judges, defying a European Union warning that the move undermines democracy and the rule of law.

The bill, sponsored by the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS), was passed by parliament's lower house earlier in the day after tumultuous debate. That triggered one of the biggest protests since the PiS came to power in late 2015.

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