Poland Starts Ad Campaign to Back Court Overhaul Disputed in EU

Polish state-backed institutions kicked off a public-relations offensive to support the country’s government as it clashes with the European Union in a dispute over the rule of law that risks marginalizing the bloc’s largest eastern member.

A foundation financed by state-run companies launched a campaign of advertisements and billboards to promote plans to revamp the judiciary by giving politicians more say in how courts are run. An earlier push for the legislation in July triggered weeks of anti-government protests and was criticized by the EU’s executive as undemocratic before being partly vetoed by President Andrzej Duda. The government has dismissed warnings from officials in Brussels that it may face sanctions and vowed to stamp its authority on courts.