Polish party leader hits out at Germany over World War II
The leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice party has accused Germany of 'rejecting' its World War II responsibilities.
Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who has made several controversial remarks about Warsaw's neighbour, went as far as to suggest Berlin should pay reparations.
'We are talking about huge sums and also the fact that the Germans have for years rejected their responsibility for World War II,' said Kaczynski.
The politician made his comments during a talk late on Thursday, attended by Catholic radio station Radio Maryja.
Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who has made several controversial remarks about Warsaw's neighbour, went as far as to suggest Berlin should pay reparations. File photo
'We are talking about huge sums and also the fact that the Germans have for years rejected their responsibility for World War II,' said Kaczynski. File photo
One of Kaczynski's chief bugbears is the recently opened Museum of the Second World War in the port city of Gdansk.
He described the museum as 'nothing other than a kind of present' from European Council president, former Polish premier and Gdansk native Donald Tusk to German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
'It is a museum which subscribes to German historic policy,' Kaczynski insisted.
The museum has made waves in that it offers visitors a view of World War II which the nationalist government feels is not Polish enough and does not highlight patriotic resistence to Nazi occupation.
It comes after the ruling party's leader slammed President Andrzej Duda for committing to veto contr oversial judicial reforms.Â
Demonstrations have taken place across the country in retaliation to the three new judicial reforms. Anti-government protesters are pictured in front of the Supreme Court
One of the reforms requires all Supreme Court judges to step down and gives the justice minister the power to decide who should stay onÂ
It comes after the ruling party's leader slammed President Andrzej Duda for committing to veto controversial judicial reforms.
'As president I don't feel this law would strengthen a sense of justice,' Mr Duda addressed the country in television broadcast earlier this week. Â
'These laws must be amended.'
While President Duda vetoed two laws, he passed a third that allows the justice minister to name the head of Poland's lower courts.
The second Reform would give politicians control over who sits on the National Judiciary Council which nominates judgesÂ
The third gives the justice minister the right to select and dismiss judges in the lower court
Anti-government protesters raise candles and placards reading "Constitution", as they gather in front of the Supreme Court in Warsaw
The president also opposed the strengthened role of the Justice Minister who, in Poland, also serves as the attorney general
It followed weeks of protests across Poland's major cities who are against the proposed changes to the judiciary. Â Â
It comes after President Duda said he would veto two of the laws
The country had been faced with sanctions being imposed by the European Commission if the reforms were not scrapped. Â
Donald Tusk, the European Council President and a former Polish prime minister, warned of a 'black scenario that could ultimately lead to the marginalisation of Poland in Europe'.
Poland's right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) government â€" of which President Duda is a former member â€" strongly refuted allegations that the reforms would move towards authoritarian rule.
It added that it was disappointed with President Duda's veto, who last week stepped in to find a compromise.
It proposed that the government's bid to push through its nominees for the National Judiciary Council be watered down, by requir ing the support of another party.
Poland's right-wing Law and Justice government â€" of which President Duda is a former member â€" has strongly refuted allegations that the reforms would move towards authoritarian rule.
Polish democracy icon and ex-President Lech Walesa addresses a large crowd of anti-government protesters in Gdansk, Poland, on Saturday
During Thursday's talk with Radio Maryja, Mr Kaczynski added that the president had made 'a very serious mistake'.
'This means there will be a reform, a radical reform,' said Kaczyński. 'Partial reform won’t change anything.'
KaczyÅ„ski added 'we want to restore a moral order'.  Â
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