EU flags disappear from Polish government press briefings

Warsaw: Poland's new Prime Minister has broken with the practice of pro-European predecessors and has removed the EU flag from her weekly news conference.

Beata Szydlo appeared today to brief reporters after the first working meeting with her Cabinet since the conservative Law and Justice party took power last week, and stood in front of Polish flags only.

Asked about the change, Szydlo said that in these difficult times she is grateful that Poland belongs to NATO and the EU, but that government press briefings devoted to national matters will from now on take place "against the background of the most beautiful white-and-red flags."

The blue EU flag still hangs at the entrance to her chancellery and in Parliament.