“What’s happening right now is a violation of the rights of Poles, the destruction of the rule of law and a violation of the constitution”, marcher Rafal Zagorowski, a 60-year-old construction worker told AFP, referring to measures taken by the PiS government. A smaller protest against European Union meddling in Poland’s domestic affairs was also held. The greatest controversy has surrounded steps that have paralyzed the Constitutional Tribunal, neutralizing it as a check on the party’s power.
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The huge mass of marchers shouted pro-EU and pro-democracy slogans as they inched through the sun-drenched city centre, brandishing a mix of red-and-white Polish flags along with blue and gold European Union flags.
Kaczynski’s party has been under fire from the opposition and the European Union since the government passed a number of legal amendments previous year, including changes to the Constitutional Court.
“I am marching because I don’t like the “good change” and I don’t like this dividing of Poland and I don’t like the weakening of Poland’s global position”, said Lukasz Lomanowski, a 29-year-old horse-riding instructor. It was not immediately clear, though, how the numbers compared to protests by miners in the 1990s during the transition to a market economy.
There was also a counter-protest held by nationalists who voiced opposition to influence by Brussels in Poland’s affairs, but it drew significantly fewer people.
Women pray during an anti-European Union march through the downtown attended by nationalist and catholic activists, in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday, May 7, 2016. They held up crosses and an image of St. Mary, praying and singing hymns.
Organized by Poland’s Committee for the Defense of Democracy (KOD) following the 12th anniversary of Poland joining the now 28-member bloc, major opposition parties joined the mass rally, including the Polish People’s Party, the Democratic Left Alliance, and the Civic Platform (PO), Ruptly reported.
Waving Polish and EU flags, demonstrators protested against what they claim are violations of democratic and European values committed by Poland’s ruling, right-wing Law and Justice Party (PiS).
The ruling party says its changes are aimed at building a stronger nation free of what it says is the continued influence of former communists.
Some PiS actions, including attempts to take more direct control of the judiciary and public media, have prompted the EU’s executive commission to launch a “Rule of Law” procedure, which could result in a suspension of Poland’s voting rights.
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Winnicki added: “The EU tries to limit Poland’s sovereignty and interfere with what’s happening in Poland”.
