Thousands march for democracy in Poland
Hundreds of marchers took to the streets in Poland's capital, Warsaw, on Sunday to protest the alleged democratic backsliding created by the country's ruling party.
The march was led by the opposition Civic Platform party, which has heavily criticized Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki's ruling Law and Justice party. The total number of protesters was unclear, but Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, a member of the Civic Platform party, estimated there were at least 500,000 people, per The Associated Press, though Polish media had estimated only 300,000.
The massive crowds marched alongside Trzaskowski, as well as the leader of the Civic Platform, former Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Also marching was former Polish President Lech Walesa, who received a Nobel Peace Prize for helping end Communist rule in Poland in 1989. The crowds reportedly chanted "Democracy!" and "Constitution!" and gathered in front of the prime minister's office, as well as the seat of Polish President Andrzej Duda.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Protests have been ongoing in Poland over the actions of the Law and Justice party, with Polish citizens telling the AP they fear their country, long a bastion of democracy, is following Hungary and Turkey down an autocratic path. Law and Justice party leaders have been accused of constitutional violations, erosion of state media, and other violations of freedoms.
Morawiecki and his government have denied that Poland is backsliding democratically, with the prime minister saying he wants to "protect traditional Christian values against liberal pressures from the West," according to Reuters.
The Civic Platform party will try to unseat the Law and Justice party from power in a national parliamentary election later this year. A Politico poll from May 31 shows Law and Justice leading Civic Platform 35% to 28%. However, the outlet noted that Law and Justice doesn't have enough current support to guarantee a parliamentary majority.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
10 things you need to know today: December 17, 2023
Daily Briefing Putin rejects Biden's claim that Russia will attack NATO, Israel ramps up bombardments of Gaza overnight, and more
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: December 9, 2023
Daily Briefing Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocks woman from receiving abortion, European Union reaches world-first deal on AI regulations, and more
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: October 1, 2023
Daily Briefing Government shutdown avoided as Congress passes temporary funding bill, Supreme Court to begin new term as major cases await, and more
By Justin Klawans Published
-
10 things you need to know today: September 30, 2023
Daily Briefing Government shutdown looms after failed House vote, California Sen. Dianne Feinstein dies at 90, and more
By Justin Klawans Published
-
10 things you need to know today: September 24, 2023
Daily Briefing Nagorno-Karabakh's Armenian population to leave region amid fears of persecution, Atlantic coast remains under flood warnings from Ophelia, and more
By Justin Klawans Published
-
10 things you need to know today: September 23, 2023
Daily Briefing Sen. Bob Menendez rejects calls to resign following indictment, Ukraine launches missile attack on occupied Crimean city, and more
By Justin Klawans Published
-
10 things you need to know today: September 17, 2023
Daily Briefing Texas AG Ken Paxton acquitted in impeachment trial, Kim Jong Un returning to North Korea after rare foreign trip to Russia, and more
By Justin Klawans Published
-
10 things you need to know today: September 10, 2023
Daily Briefing Aftershock strikes Morocco as death toll rises, approval of new Covid shots likely coming within days, and more
By Justin Klawans Published