2023-June-5 15:26
TEHRAN (FNA)- Hundreds of thousands of Polish people marched through the nation's capital in protest of the country's right-wing, populist leadership.
An estimated 500,000 citizens gathered in Warsaw on Sunday to voice their anger at officials who they say are are eroding the rule of law, controlling state media and endorsing homophobia, The Associated Press reported.
The Law and Justice (PiS) party has been in power since 2015 and combines higher social spending with socially conservative policies.
They have also been criticised for a clamp down on abortion rights and current, high-inflation. Critics have warned for years that the party is reversing many of the achievements made since Poland emerged from communist rule in 1989.
It's reported the crowd chanted “Democracy!” and “Constitution!”
Forty-nine year old Radek Tusinski marched with his wife and two children. A handmade sign reading “I cannot give up freedom” was attached to their baby stroller.
He said he worried about the creeping return of an authoritarian system similar to what he remembers from his childhood. Barbara Dec, 26, and her grandmother travelled seven hours on a bus to protest. She 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 said, adding, “And I am also afraid I couldn't manage financially.”
Former President Lech Walesa, marched alongside the leader of the opposition Civic Platform party, ex-Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Tusk had called on Poles to march with him for the sake of the nation’s future.
The rally started at Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki's office and ended up at the Royal Castle, where Tusk pledged to fight to win an autumn election.
“We are going to these elections to win and to right human wrongs," he told the crowd, adding, "I promise you victory, a settlement of evil, compensation for human wrongs and reconciliation among Poles."
Government spokesman, Piotr Mueller, accused Tusk and Walesa of “trying to overthrow the government.”
According to Reuters, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, denies subverting democratic norms and says the party's aim is to protect traditional Christian values against liberal pressures from the West.
Supporters of the march have warned the election might be the nation's last chance to stop the erosion of democracy under Law and Justice, amid growing fears that the fall election might not be fair.
The march was held on the 34th anniversary of Poland's first partly-free election, a major step toward the eventual topple of communism in the country.
Law and Justice sought to discourage participation in the rally with a video spot using Auschwitz as a theme.
This drew criticism from the state museum that preserves the site of the Nazi German death camp.
The protest was seen as a test for Tusk’s Civic Platform, a centrist and pro-European party which has trailed behind Law and Justice in polls.
Large crowds also gathered in Krakow and other cities across the nation.
"Nothing will stay the same in Polish politics in coming months". Donald Tusk sums up Sunday's march
TVN24 | TVN24 News in English
5 czerwca 2023,
Reuters
"Those who demand change have been filled with genuine hope," Civic Platform Donald Tusk said on Monday (June 5), summing up Sunday's anti-government march that went through the streets of Warsaw and other cities. "Nothing will stay the same in Polish politics in coming months," the former prime minister added.
At a press briefing on Monday morning, Donald Tusk summed up Sunday's march and thanked city services for their help in organizing the event. "I'd like to thank all those who were there yesterday. Some travelled hundreds of kilometers. I'd like to thank those who had more work because of that, including the police. Everything was on a top-notch, European level. I wanted to show that hundreds of thousands of us can be angry at what is happening, but at the same time be really peaceful," he said.
Tusk: I hope no one ignores this lesson again
The Civic Platform chairman added that "after yesterday nothing will stay the same in Polish politics in coming months". "I have no doubts. Everyone saw there is a big chance to change the situation in Poland. I have a feeling that PiS understood yesterday that impunity and lach of responsibility are out the question, and that they cannot do evil to so many people and go unpunished," Tusk said.
He also said "across whole Poland, those who demand change have been filled with genuine hope". "What's crucial is the sense of solidarity and community among the voters. I hope that everyone who saw that yesterday have received a certain message. Many of those who took part in yesterday's march would say firmly and openly they wanted solidarity and unity within the opposition. I hope no one ignores this lesson again," he stressed.
TVN24 | TVN24 News in English
5 czerwca 2023,
Reuters
"Those who demand change have been filled with genuine hope," Civic Platform Donald Tusk said on Monday (June 5), summing up Sunday's anti-government march that went through the streets of Warsaw and other cities. "Nothing will stay the same in Polish politics in coming months," the former prime minister added.
At a press briefing on Monday morning, Donald Tusk summed up Sunday's march and thanked city services for their help in organizing the event. "I'd like to thank all those who were there yesterday. Some travelled hundreds of kilometers. I'd like to thank those who had more work because of that, including the police. Everything was on a top-notch, European level. I wanted to show that hundreds of thousands of us can be angry at what is happening, but at the same time be really peaceful," he said.
Tusk: I hope no one ignores this lesson again
The Civic Platform chairman added that "after yesterday nothing will stay the same in Polish politics in coming months". "I have no doubts. Everyone saw there is a big chance to change the situation in Poland. I have a feeling that PiS understood yesterday that impunity and lach of responsibility are out the question, and that they cannot do evil to so many people and go unpunished," Tusk said.
He also said "across whole Poland, those who demand change have been filled with genuine hope". "What's crucial is the sense of solidarity and community among the voters. I hope that everyone who saw that yesterday have received a certain message. Many of those who took part in yesterday's march would say firmly and openly they wanted solidarity and unity within the opposition. I hope no one ignores this lesson again," he stressed.
June 4 march in Warsaw
Hundreds of thousands of opposition supporters joined the march in Warsaw on the 34th anniversary of Poland's first democratic elections in 1989, while thousands more marched in other cities and towns.
The march stretched for at least one mile and people held banners reading "Free, European Poland", "European Union yes, PiS no", referring to the governing Law and Justice (PiS) party.
The opposition accuses the government headed by PiS of eroding the rule of law, turning state media into a government mouthpiece and endorsing homophobia.
The government, headed by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, denies subverting democratic norms and says its aim is to protect traditional Christian values against liberal pressures from the West and to make the economy more fair.
Opinion polls show an election due after the summer will be closely fought, with Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine giving a boost to PiS which has emerged as a leading voice against the Kremlin in Europe.
Hundreds of thousands of opposition supporters joined the march in Warsaw on the 34th anniversary of Poland's first democratic elections in 1989, while thousands more marched in other cities and towns.
The march stretched for at least one mile and people held banners reading "Free, European Poland", "European Union yes, PiS no", referring to the governing Law and Justice (PiS) party.
The opposition accuses the government headed by PiS of eroding the rule of law, turning state media into a government mouthpiece and endorsing homophobia.
The government, headed by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, denies subverting democratic norms and says its aim is to protect traditional Christian values against liberal pressures from the West and to make the economy more fair.
Opinion polls show an election due after the summer will be closely fought, with Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine giving a boost to PiS which has emerged as a leading voice against the Kremlin in Europe.
Hundreds of thousands march in Poland anti-government protests to show support for democracy
Supporters of the march have warned that an autumn election might be the nation’s last chance to stop the erosion of democracy under the ruling Law and Justice party.
Huge crowds attended an anti-government demonstration in Warsaw, Poland, on Sunday.Wojtek Radwanski / AFP - Getty Images
June 5, 2023
June 5, 2023
Source: Associated Press
Hundreds of thousands of people marched in an anti-government protest in Poland’s capital on Sunday, with citizens traveling from across the country to voice their anger at officials who they say have eroded democratic norms and created fears that the nation is following Hungary and Turkey down the path to autocracy.
Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, who belongs to the opposition party that led the march, estimated that 500,000 people took part. The Onet news portal estimated there there were at least 300,000 at the march’s culmination.
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.
Former President Lech Walesa, the leader of the Solidarity movement that played a historic role in toppling communism in Poland, marched alongside the leader of the opposition Civic Platform party, ex-Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Hundreds of thousands of people marched in an anti-government protest in Poland’s capital on Sunday, with citizens traveling from across the country to voice their anger at officials who they say have eroded democratic norms and created fears that the nation is following Hungary and Turkey down the path to autocracy.
Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, who belongs to the opposition party that led the march, estimated that 500,000 people took part. The Onet news portal estimated there there were at least 300,000 at the march’s culmination.
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.
Former President Lech Walesa, the leader of the Solidarity movement that played a historic role in toppling communism in Poland, marched alongside the leader of the opposition Civic Platform party, ex-Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Donald Tusk during the Freedom march in Warsaw, Poland, on Sunday.
Omar Marques / Getty Images
Walesa and Tusk are reviled by the ruling Law and Justice party led by Jaroslaw Kaczynski, and the Warsaw crowd chanted “Democracy!” and “Constitution!”
The rally started at Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s office and ended up at the Royal Castle, where Tusk hailed the turnout and pledged to fight to win an autumn election.
“We are going to these elections to win and to right human wrongs. I promise you victory, a settlement of evil, compensation for human wrongs and reconciliation among Poles,” Tusk told the crowd.
The government spokesman, Piotr Mueller, accused Tusk and Walesa of “trying to overthrow the government.”
Tusk had called on Poles to march with him for the sake of the nation’s future — a message that resonated for Radek Tusinski, 49, who arrived with his wife and two children. A handmade sign reading “I cannot give up freedom” was attached to their baby stroller.
Tuskinski said that he worries about the creeping return of an authoritarian system similar to what he remembers from his childhood.
“We want a free country for our children,” he said.
Supporters of the march have warned that the election might be the nation’s last chance to stop the erosion of democracy under Law and Justice amid growing fears that the fall election might not be fair.
In power since 2015, Law and Justice has found a popular formula, combining higher social spending with socially conservative policies and support for the church in the mostly Catholic nation.
However, critics have warned for years that the party is reversing many of the achievements made since Poland emerged from communist rule in 1989.
The U.S. government has intervened at times when it felt the government was eroding media liberties and academic freedom in the area of Holocaust research.
Critics point mainly to the party’s step-by-step takeover of the judiciary and media, and fear that Law and Justice could eventually force Poland to leave the 27-member European Union.
A clampdown on abortion rights has triggered mass protests. Some also voiced anger at double-digit inflation in the country. Poland’s government blames Russia’s war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, but economists say its spending policies have accelerated spiraling prices.
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.”
The march was held on the 34th anniversary of Poland’s first partly-free election. The protest was seen as a test for Tusk’s Civic Platform, a centrist and pro-European party which has trailed behind Law and Justice in polls.
Walesa and Tusk are reviled by the ruling Law and Justice party led by Jaroslaw Kaczynski, and the Warsaw crowd chanted “Democracy!” and “Constitution!”
The rally started at Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s office and ended up at the Royal Castle, where Tusk hailed the turnout and pledged to fight to win an autumn election.
“We are going to these elections to win and to right human wrongs. I promise you victory, a settlement of evil, compensation for human wrongs and reconciliation among Poles,” Tusk told the crowd.
The government spokesman, Piotr Mueller, accused Tusk and Walesa of “trying to overthrow the government.”
Tusk had called on Poles to march with him for the sake of the nation’s future — a message that resonated for Radek Tusinski, 49, who arrived with his wife and two children. A handmade sign reading “I cannot give up freedom” was attached to their baby stroller.
Tuskinski said that he worries about the creeping return of an authoritarian system similar to what he remembers from his childhood.
“We want a free country for our children,” he said.
Supporters of the march have warned that the election might be the nation’s last chance to stop the erosion of democracy under Law and Justice amid growing fears that the fall election might not be fair.
In power since 2015, Law and Justice has found a popular formula, combining higher social spending with socially conservative policies and support for the church in the mostly Catholic nation.
However, critics have warned for years that the party is reversing many of the achievements made since Poland emerged from communist rule in 1989.
The U.S. government has intervened at times when it felt the government was eroding media liberties and academic freedom in the area of Holocaust research.
Critics point mainly to the party’s step-by-step takeover of the judiciary and media, and fear that Law and Justice could eventually force Poland to leave the 27-member European Union.
A clampdown on abortion rights has triggered mass protests. Some also voiced anger at double-digit inflation in the country. Poland’s government blames Russia’s war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, but economists say its spending policies have accelerated spiraling prices.
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.”
The march was held on the 34th anniversary of Poland’s first partly-free election. The protest was seen as a test for Tusk’s Civic Platform, a centrist and pro-European party which has trailed behind Law and Justice in polls.
People attend an anti-government demonstration in Warsaw, Poland, on June 4, 2023.
Wojtek Radwanski / AFP - Getty Images
However, the passage of a contentious law last month seems to have mobilized greater support for Tusk. Poland is expected to hold a general election in October, though a date hasn’t been set.
The law allows for the creation of a commission to investigate Russian influence in Poland. Critics argue that it would have unconstitutional powers, including the capacity to exclude officials from public life for a decade. They fear it will be used by the ruling party to remove Tusk and other opponents from public life.
President Andrzej Duda, who signed the law on May 29, proposed amendments to it on Friday. In the meantime, the law will take effect with no guarantees that lawmakers in parliament will weaken the commission’s powers.
Some Poles say it could come to resemble the investigations of Joseph McCarthy, the U.S. senator whose anti-communist campaign in the early 1950s led to hysteria and political persecution.
That fear was underlined last weekend when Kaczynski was asked by a reporter if he still had trust in the defense minister in connection with a Russian missile that fell in Poland in December.
“I am forced ... to view you as a representative of the Kremlin,” he replied. “Because only the Kremlin wants this man to stop being the minister of national defense.”
The media freedom group Reporters Without Borders expressed concerns that the commission “could serve as a new weapon for this type of attack, in which doubt is cast on journalists’ probity in an attempt to smear their reputation.”
Tusk, who once served as European Council president, had called for the march weeks ago, urging people to demonstrate “against high prices, theft and lies, for free elections and a democratic, European Poland.”
Law and Justice sought to discourage participation in the rally with a video spot using Auschwitz as a theme — drawing criticism from the state museum that preserves the site of the Nazi German death camp.
Associated
However, the passage of a contentious law last month seems to have mobilized greater support for Tusk. Poland is expected to hold a general election in October, though a date hasn’t been set.
The law allows for the creation of a commission to investigate Russian influence in Poland. Critics argue that it would have unconstitutional powers, including the capacity to exclude officials from public life for a decade. They fear it will be used by the ruling party to remove Tusk and other opponents from public life.
President Andrzej Duda, who signed the law on May 29, proposed amendments to it on Friday. In the meantime, the law will take effect with no guarantees that lawmakers in parliament will weaken the commission’s powers.
Some Poles say it could come to resemble the investigations of Joseph McCarthy, the U.S. senator whose anti-communist campaign in the early 1950s led to hysteria and political persecution.
That fear was underlined last weekend when Kaczynski was asked by a reporter if he still had trust in the defense minister in connection with a Russian missile that fell in Poland in December.
“I am forced ... to view you as a representative of the Kremlin,” he replied. “Because only the Kremlin wants this man to stop being the minister of national defense.”
The media freedom group Reporters Without Borders expressed concerns that the commission “could serve as a new weapon for this type of attack, in which doubt is cast on journalists’ probity in an attempt to smear their reputation.”
Tusk, who once served as European Council president, had called for the march weeks ago, urging people to demonstrate “against high prices, theft and lies, for free elections and a democratic, European Poland.”
Law and Justice sought to discourage participation in the rally with a video spot using Auschwitz as a theme — drawing criticism from the state museum that preserves the site of the Nazi German death camp.
Associated
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