In a statement, the minister referred to a demand by Brussels for Poland to suspend its reform of the judiciary, saying that the commission was interfering in the domestic affairs of Hungary and Poland as part of a witch-hunt.

Szijjártó said the commission’s job was to make sure that treaties are observed according to European law rather than to “act as a political body” and “make politically based declarations”. He said Hungary stood in friendship and solidarity with Poland.

Critics of the bill passed by the lower house of Poland’s parliament on Thursday say the law will erode the independence of judges and undermine democracy.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.

MTI photo: KKM