Hungary’s Prime Minister, Viktor Orban has stated that his government would block any EU sanctions imposed on Poland. 

Speaking on Friday, Orban said, “I call for more respect for the Poles because this is what they deserve”. There are now further fears in Brussels that an Eastern block, sceptical of European Union policies could be forming. Law & Justice (PiS) leader, Jaroslaw Kaczynski met with Orban in Poland last week.

Sanctions could be discussed by the European Commission on Wednesday when they meet to debate Poland’s new Law & Justice government, and the controversial changes occurring in the country.

The two major changes revolve around appointments to the constitutional council and the heads of the Polish state broadcasters.

Viktor Orban has been criticised for implementing similar changes in Hungary that many view as undermining checks and balances in the country.

PiS won the general election in November with an overall majority, toppling Civic Platform following eight years of uninterrupted power. Earlier in the year, Andrzej Duda won the presidential election for Law & Justice, taking power from Civic Platform’s Bronisław Komorowski.