Szydło: We want Europe to respect our sovereignty

Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło addressed parliament on Friday, saying that "we want Europe to respect our sovereignty," in reaction to Wednesday's European Commission announcement that it may launch the second stage of the rule of law procedure unless Poland makes significant progress in resolving the row on the Constitutional Court by May 23. "The Polish government will never submit to any ultimatum. It will not allow for anyone else’s will be imposed on Poles," Szydło said, adding that "it is not Poland that has a reputational problem, it is the Commission." "Recent statements and actions of the opposition, speeches, and steps which you have taken, testify to the fact that you need to be reminded of the basic obligation that rests on the Polish members of parliament, the duty to protect Polish sovereignty,” she continued. "Our country is a fully-fledged member of the EU and has the same rights and duties as other countries," the Prime Minister continued.