WARSAW: In a display of dissent, hundreds of thousands of protesters flooded central Warsaw on Sunday in a powerful show of opposition against the conservative government of Poland. The rally, orchestrated by Polish opposition leader Donald Tusk, former premier and head of the centrist Civic Coalition bloc, aimed to galvanize the electorate ahead of the crucial general elections scheduled for October 15.
Addressing the massive crowd, Tusk expressed optimism, saying, “When I see these hundreds of thousands of smiling faces, I have a good feeling that the breakthrough moment in the history of our homeland is coming.” He continued, “A great change is taking place — this is a mark of the great Polish revival,” as supporters waved Polish and European Union flags, symbolizing their unity and aspirations for change.
People from all corners of Poland journeyed to Warsaw, with many enduring hours of travel to participate in the protest. Kazimierz Figzal, a 65-year-old protester from southwest Poland, voiced the shared sentiment, saying, “We have had enough of what we witness now — our freedom is being curbed. We want democracy, for our children and grandchildren.”
Lech Walesa, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, former Polish president, and prominent anti-communist leader, joined other opposition party leaders in the march. Wlodzimierz Czarzasty, a co-leader of the New Left party, emphasized the significance of opposition cooperation, stating, “We know what (the ruling party) fears the most — the cooperation within the opposition.”
Political Differences in Poland
The ruling Law and Justice party, frequently at odds with the EU and facing accusations of undermining the rule of law, currently leads in polls with around 35 percent of voting intention. The Civic Coalition opposition alliance, led by Tusk, has consistently trailed in second place, with 27 percent of voting intention, according to IBRiS polling.
However, Tusk remains optimistic, citing internal polls commissioned by his party that indicate a narrowing of the gap to just two percentage points. He assured his supporters of accountability, promising, “Many of them will go to jail for blatant theft, for violating the law and the constitution,” referring to the ruling party leaders.
While the Law and Justice party organized its own rally in the southern city of Katowice on Sunday, Bartlomiej Piela, a 29-year-old protester, expressed hope that the massive opposition march would mobilize people for change. “Breaking fundamental civil rights and women’s freedom to choose how they wish to live, pitting Polish people against each other… I hope the march will mobilize people to change it,” he stated, reflecting the sentiments of many participants in the historic rally.
