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Jarosław Kaczyński, the chairman of the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS), declared the reforms will go ahead despite the president’s veto on local television. President Andrzej Duda’s surprise announcement to veto the plans saw him bow down to EU pressure amid huge protests across Poland's major cities.

GETTY The row over judicial reform has caused thousands to take to the streets in protest

Mr Kaczyński branded President Duda's veto a "very serious mistake". He confirmed that he plans to get around the president's veto and force the laws through. He added: "This means there will be a reform, a radical reform...Partial reform won't change anything." "The president has clearly said that he wants to take the initiative here and under no circumstances will we disturb him in this. "We will wait this month out. In the second phase of this procedure, a unanimous position is needed. And I am convinced that it will not be achieved.” Duda said earlier this week he would present his own draft bills on overhauling the judicial system within two months. President Duda's veto also put him at odds with Prime Minister Beata Szydlo, who insists Brussels should not dictate Polish law.

Protesters take to the streets across Poland Mon, July 24, 2017 Thousands take to the streets across Poland to protest against the new bill changing the judiciary system. Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 14 Protesters shout slogans during a protest in front of the presidential palace in Warsaw

She said the president's unexpected veto of bills overhauling the justice system had slowed down necessary reforms. In an address to the nation, broadcast on public television, she said: "We all want to live in a fair Poland, this is why the reform of the courts is needed. Today's veto by the president has slowed down work on the reform. She said the government should not "yield to pressure from the street and from abroad", referring to ongoing protests against the planned reform and criticism from the EU. The proposals have been condemned by the EU and have caused huge political unrest across the country, with tens of thousands of people taking to the street to protest the planned legislative changes.

REUTERS Some Poles have reacted angrily to EU plans to begin legal action over the judiciary reforms

REUTERS Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of the ruling PiS party, has vowed to push through reforms anyway

Yesterday Government spokesman Rafal Bochenek said: “We won't accept blackmail from EU officials, especially blackmail that is not based on facts. “All the laws prepared by the Polish parliament are in compliance with the constitution and democratic rules. “We regret that Timmermans, without knowing the draft laws and regulations of Polish law, has formulated negative criticism against Poland.”

REUTERS Plans to reform Poland's judiciary have split the country, with some keen to move away from the EU