Poland warned to steer clear of the 'dark side' of politics following introduction of restrictive laws by new government

EC President, Donald Tusk, said Warsaw’s recent media and court curbs have 'shaken' the country’s reputation after its successful political and economic transition since the Cold War

Polish President Andrzej Duda has insisted Poland is committed to democracy (Corbis)

European Council President Donald Tusk drew on the Star Wars films to chastise Poland’s new ultra-conservative government about the “dark side of the Force”.

Speaking in Brussels alongside visiting Polish President Andrzej Duda, Mr Tusk – a former Polish prime minister – invoked the space fantasy movies as he said Warsaw’s recent media and court curbs risked turning the clock back, after 25 years of post-Communist progress toward democracy and the rule of law.

“We managed to move from the dark side of political life to the light side,” Mr Tusk said, as he addressed Mr Duda. “We probably saw the same films recently and I want to tell you... there is always time to move to the light side of the Force.”

Mr Tusk, who chairs summits of the 28 EU leaders, said the row over the widely criticised new laws had “shaken” Poland’s reputation after its successful political and economic transition since the Cold War.

Their meeting came days after the European Commission announced an unprecedented “rule of law” probe into whether the Polish government breached EU democratic rules by weakening the country’s constitutional court and bringing public media under direct government control.

Mr Duda insisted Poland was committed to democracy. “There is nothing extraordinary going on in Poland. As in every democratic state, after elections that brought about a change in power, there are disputes,” Mr Duda said. “I appeal for a calmer discussion… based on the real facts and not media creations.”