In an unexpected step that will stir concerns about media freedom and restart a diplomatic confrontation with the United States, Poland’s parliament enacted a media bill that critics believe attempts to suppress a news station critical of the government.

Because the legislation tightens the limits around foreign ownership of media in Poland, critics claim it will impair the capacity of news station TVN24, owned by US media conglomerate Discovery Inc, to function.

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The vote sours relations with the United States, Poland’s most important partner, at a time when eastern Europe is tense over an assertive Russia.

The law had not been planned for a vote, but after a committee was formed on short notice to debate the problem, it was added to the agenda and passed in a couple of minutes.

The bill’s passage shortly before the Christmas break is a victory for the ruling nationalist Law and Justice party (PiS), as it was unclear whether it would be able to muster enough votes to enact the contentious legislation.

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To become law, President Andrzej Duda must sign the bill. Duda, a close friend of the administration, has previously stated that takeovers of foreign-owned media companies should be done on market conditions rather than through coercion, implying that he may use his veto authority to block the law.

“Of course, we will look into the measure and make the necessary conclusion.” On Friday, Duda told reporters, “I’ve previously talked about the point of view from which I’ll evaluate the law.”

The US State Department urged Duda to defend free expression, economic freedom, property rights, and equality of treatment.

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State department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement, “The United States is deeply troubled by the passage in Poland today of a law that would undermine freedom of expression, weaken media freedom, and erode foreign investors’ confidence in their property rights and the sanctity of contracts in Poland.”

According to the European Commission, the new law sends yet another bad message about Poland’s regard for the rule of law and democratic ideals.

In a statement, commission vice-president Vera Jourova stated, “Once this bill becomes a law, the Commission will not hesitate to take action in case of non-compliance with EU law.”

The way the committee was formed, according to opposition legislators, was unlawful and violated democratic rules.