<br /> <p>Thousands gathered in front of the Presidential Palace in Warsaw on July 20 to protest a new law that gives the Polish Parliament the power to appoint Supreme Court judges.</p><p>The protesters lay on the ground to stamp their feet against barriers, sang songs, including the national anthem, and held up candles.</p><p>The bill, sponsored by Poland’s ruling Law and Justice Party, was passed by Parliament’s lower house. It gives the government more direct control of the country’s judiciary process.</p><p>In response to the move. the European Commission said it would implement an unprecedented Article 7 procedure, which means asking EU governments to formally state that they regard the rule of law as being under threat in Poland. Article 7 would require a unanimous vote, and Polish ally Hungary has promised to block the measure. Credit: Twitter/Rémy Bonny via Storyful</p><br />
