Polish Constitutional Court crisis

Large protests were held across Poland on Oct. 10 to show support for the European Union after the nation's constitutional court ruled this week that the Polish constitution overrides some EU laws.

Poland's top court on Oct. 7 ruled against the supremacy of EU law in a landmark ruling that could threaten the country's EU funding and even its membership of the bloc.

Armed with European flags in hand, thousands of protesters have marched across Poland this week in opposition of a law that could allow the government the power to fire and control the judiciary if it disagrees with its court reforms.

Faced with possible EU sanctions for a series of controversial judicial changes which Brussels believes threaten the country's rule of law and democratic values, the Polish government could push the country out of the bloc if it stops being a recipient of EU funds, Donald Tusk, the EU Council president, has warned.

The European Commission has launched unprecedented disciplinary proceedings against Poland over its highly controversial judicial reforms which Brussels says threaten the rule of law.

The European Commission has proposed to the EU Council to invoke Article 7 of the Lisbon Treaty, paving the way for sanctions against Poland and suspending some of the country's rights as an EU member.

The unprecedented decision means that EU countries will be asked whether there was increased risk of Poland violating core EU values.

Polish news agency PAP is reporting that the move that could result in sanctions against Poland, including stripping the country of its voting rights and freezing billions of euros from EU funds.

The European Union has triggered Article 7 against Poland, a procedure that could result in sanctions targeting Warsaw, PAP news agency reports. The EU says Poland has violated democratic values with proposed judiciary reform.

The European Union's executive body use Article 7 of the EU treaty what is called a "nuclear option" against Poland on Wednesday.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticised Poland's governing Law and Justice (PiS) party, backing up the European Commission and increasing the likelihood of unprecedented EU action to punish Warsaw, New Europe reported.

The EU warned Poland yesterday that it would suspend its voting rights if it pushes ahead with controversial court reforms, sparking a furious reaction from Warsaw.

Poland's right-wing government accused Brussels of "blackmail" after the European Commission signficantly raised the stakes in the confrontation.