Hundreds of thousands of protesters filled the streets of Warsaw on Sunday to show their support for the opposition ahead of the parliamentary election scheduled for October. The march was organized by former European Council President, Donald Tusk, to coincide with the anniversary of Poland's first partially free elections in 1989. The participants of the rally waved national and European Union flags and held placards calling for a free and fair vote.
The governing Law & Justice party has been heavily criticized by the EU for eroding democratic standards by undermining the independence of courts, the free press, and LGBTQ+ rights. The party is now facing a serious challenge after two consecutive terms in power, as opinion polls suggest it might struggle to hold onto its parliamentary majority.
The protests gained momentum in recent days following the adoption of a controversial law which would allow an inquiry into Tusk and other opposition politicians, accusing them of Russian meddling. The EU and the US criticized the legislation, and President Andrzej Duda proposed amending it, five days after signing it into law.
"I've had enough of looking at this circus, this demolition of democracy in Poland," said Bartlomiej Ficner, who operates a small IT business in Wroclaw and traveled to Warsaw to join the protest. "What's happening isn't normal and we're here to protest against that."
The ruling party caused an outcry by posting a video on social media last week that used images from Nazi concentration camps to discourage participation in the opposition march. The website of the state television's main news channel showed limited coverage of the event under the headline, "The March of Hatred."
Tusk addressed the crowds at the beginning of the march and was accompanied by the former leader of the Solidarity trade union and Nobel Peace Prize winner Lech Walesa. "We're here today to show all of Poland, the entire European Union, and the world how strong we are," Tusk told the crowds. "Nothing is going to stop this voice, this wave. The giant has awakened."
Government spokesman Piotr Muller accused Tusk and Walesa of attempting to overthrow the ruling government. Warsaw's municipal authorities estimated that around 500,000 people participated in the rally, while ruling-party politicians, including EU Affairs Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sek, believed the turnout was much lower. The crowds stretched along the 2.9-mile route in downtown Warsaw and into side streets.
"I'd like to live in a democracy where the rule of law matters," said Anna Dzikowska, a pensioner from southern Poland who traveled to Warsaw to participate in the rally. "I'm here to say that I want things to be normal again".