Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban vowed on Saturday to defend Poland as Warsaw faces EU sanctions over controversial judicial reforms. 

Calling for "patriotic governance" against the EU, Orban said Poland was a victim of harassment by Brussels.

Poland's senate approved a bill early Saturday giving politicians influence over the nation's Supreme Court.

The move drew disapproval from the European Union, Poland's opposition party and other critics.

Tens of thousands of people protested in Warsaw and other cities, demanding the bill's repeal before it becomes law.

The European Commission threatened this week to move towards halting Poland's voting rights in the 28-nation bloc.