In Poland, the public came together for what has been hailed as “the largest political protest in recent years” to express their discontent with inflation, rising cost of living, and the rollback of women’s and LGBTQ rights.
Prompted by a recent appeal from the leader of the main opposition party and former Prime Minister Tusk, the citizens took to the streets, demanding democracy and opposing the country’s drift towards authoritarianism.
In Poland, the people came together for what has been hailed as “the largest political protest in recent years” in response to inflation, rising cost of living, and the rollback of women’s and LGBTQ rights.
Following a recent call by the leader of the main opposition party, Civic Platform (PO), and former Prime Minister Tusk, the citizens took to the streets, marching in support of “economic justice,” “free elections and democracy,” and “a European Poland.”
In the capital city of Warsaw, thousands of citizens gathered, exceeding the designated protest area and spilling onto major streets and thoroughfares.
Large crowds also gathered in Krakow and other cities across the nation of 38 million people, showing frustration with a government that critics accuse of violating the constitution and eroding fundamental rights in Poland.
Among those participating in the march were Rafal Trzaskowski, the current Mayor of Warsaw who narrowly lost the presidential election to incumbent Andrzej Duda in 2020, and Tusk himself.
Addressing the crowd, Tusk stated, “Here, I see an ocean of white and red flags. Tens of thousands of people who hold Poland dear are here, with millions watching on television. Today marks the anniversary of free elections. Let Poland, Europe, and the world witness our strength. Just as we did in the past, how many of us are ready to fight for democracy and a free Poland? We will emerge victorious.”
As participants marched, they expressed growing concerns that the upcoming autumn elections might not be fair, emphasizing that it could be the last opportunity to halt the erosion of democracy in the country.
Opponents highlighted that the ruling Law and Justice Party, in power since 2015, has gradually seized control of the judiciary and media. They fear that this could ultimately lead Poland, a member of the 27-nation European Union, to be compelled to leave the union.
“I am afraid to have children in Poland”
The restrictions on abortion rights have sparked mass protests, with some also voicing their anger over the double-digit inflation in the country. While the Polish government attributes the situation to the Russia-Ukraine war and the COVID-19 pandemic, economists argue that their monetary policies have actually accelerated price increases.
Barbara Dec, 26, and her grandmother left their hometown of Zielona Gora at 4:30 a.m. and traveled seven hours on a bus organized by Civic Platform to protest.
Dec held up a cardboard sign that read, “I am afraid to have children in Poland.”
“Women have lost the right to have an abortion even when the fetus is terminally ill, and some women have died,” she explained. “And I am also afraid I couldn’t manage financially.”