Protests continued in several Polish cities, despite President Duda’s announcement that he would veto two out of three controversial judicial reform bills.

They included plans to replace Supreme Court judges with government nominees.

The decision to veto the reforms came as a surprise but some protesters cautiously welcomed it.

Protester, Pawel Ceninski, said: “In my opinion the president did very well. You can see that slowly, at least that’s my feeling, he is gaining autonomy, independence from (Law and Justice) chairman Kaczynski.”

Speaking to reporters, President Andrzej Duda said he regretted that he had not had chance to see the proposed law before the lower house of parliament voted on it.

He said he believes the judiciary still needs reforming but that the government’s plans were not it line with the constitution.

The reforms were already passed by Poland’s parliament last week, raising concerns in the E.U. and U.S. about the politicisation of the courts.

But before becoming law they require approval by the president. The ruling party could challenge the veto but is unlikely to be successful.

Protesters are now pressing for the president to veto the third reform as well.