Thousands Protest in Poland over Govt's Constitutional Court Plans

Polish citizens took to the streets of more than 20 cities on Sunday to demonstrate against moves by the recently elected government to reform the country's top court.

Alongside Warsaw, protests were held in Pozna?, Gda?sk, Wroc?aw, Lublin, Kraków, Katowice and Tarnów, and many other places, Radio Poland reports.

The Law and Justice Party (PiS) which swept to power in October has made steps toward the appointment of five new judges to the Constitutional Tribunal and has sought to recall two of the five appointed by Parliament under the previous government of Civic Platform.

An organization called Committee for Defense of Democracy (KOD) was the driving force behind the latest rally which comes after a big protest was also staged last weekend.

Protesters say PiS is seeking to tighten its grip on the country as the 15-strong Constitutional Tribunal is the only institution that is able to control the decisions of Parliament.