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European Council president Donald Tusk admitted Poland’s future in the bloc has “a question mark” following the Polish government ’s insistence on controversial domestic reforms. And in a shock statement, the EU chief hinted relations were continuing to sour with the Brussels bloc. Mr Tusk said: "There is a question mark over Poland's European future today. "I do understand emotions of Poles who are concerned about courts, or Poland's future in the EU."

GETTY Donald Tusk has admitted Poland’s future in the bloc has “a question mark

The former prime minister continued: "It smells like an introduction to an announcement that Poland does not need the European Union and that Poland is not needed for the EU. “I am afraid we are closer to that moment. "There are plenty of issues where the Polish government's actions seem very controversial from the point of view of the whole EU. Including Budapest, sometimes.” Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party (PiS), led by Jarosław Kaczyński and a number of veteran eurosceptics, has vowed they go ahead with judicial reforms despite objections from the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

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There is a question mark over Poland's European future today Donald Tusk

But hitting back Mr Tusk said: "Mr Kaczyński will not manage to frighten me. “Neither the prosecutor, nor any other method of teasing me will help him do it.” Poland’s foreign minister Zbigniew Ziobro said the EU was trying to “weaken” his country. He said: “This is clearly a political battle with Poland. There are influential groups and politicians behind this, in whose interests it would be for Poland to be a weak country that was open to outside interference.”

GETTY Brussels has also warned Poland that it has been one month to back down on its judicial reforms

Last week, the ECJ ordered an immediate halt to Poland’s controversial logging scheme in Bialowieza Forest, saying Warsaw's attitude in the case hinted at "a prelude to an announcement that Poland does not need the European Union and the European Union does not need Poland”. Brussels has also warned Poland that it has been one month to back down on its judicial reforms or the Union will take its ‘nuclear option’ and ban Poland from voting on EU matters. This power, under Article 7 of EU treaties, has never been used yet but European Commission president Jean Claude-Junker has been growing furious at the defiance of Poland. Mr Junker said Poland would be “more lonely after Brexit” as he made the brazen suggestion the nation would have no eurosceptic allies when the UK leaves the bloc.

REUTERS Tusk claimed Poland doesn't need the EU

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GETTY PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński has clashed with Donald Tusk