Polish opposition gathers thousands of protesters in Warsaw demanding “democratic and European Poland”

Thousands of people protested this Sunday in Warsaw protesting against the conservative government of the Law and Justice Party (PiS) under the slogan “democratic and European Poland”. “Poland is here! No one can silence us!” said opposition leader Donald Tusk to the thousands gathered at the rally.

“We are thousands, thousands of people who have Poland in their hearts, millions of Poles who are in front of the televisions and who are not defeated, who are not intimidated,” he added. The call also coincides with the 34th anniversary of the first multi-party elections held in Poland in 1989. after decades of communist rule and the main figure of the transition, Lech Walesa, head of the Solidarity trade union and later president of the country, was also very present at the protests.

The main demands of the protesters are “free and fair elections” and “democratic and European Poland”. The protest was joined by civil society organizations, feminists and LGTBI activists, groups affected by the ultra-conservative laws promoted by the PiS government.

Last week, a law was passed that provides for the formation of an investigative commission on alleged Russian influence and cooperation with the Russian authorities since 2007. The initiative envisages sanctions such as disqualification from public office or cancellation of weapons licenses.

From the opposition, Brussels or Washington warned that the law could be used to launch campaigns of public condemnation and humiliation. In addition, its powers overlap with those of other state agencies and courts.