Poland’s Parliament approved a contentious bill that gives its members the power to appoint Supreme Court judges.

The controversial legislation was part of the sweeping reforms to the country's judicial system they voted on Thursday. Poland's ruling Law and Justice party pushed the bill through just days after tens of thousands of people rallied in Warsaw to protest what has been seen as a massive power-grab by the party. An opposition official said the approval of the bill “means the end of the rule of law in Poland”.

The European Union is urging Polish President Andrzej Duda to veto the bill. So far Duda, who must sign the bill before it goes into law, has not indicated any reluctance to confirm.