2023-06-03 19:30:00
3.06.2023 21:44
(Akt. 3.06.2023 21:50)
Opposition leader Donald Tusk has called for a demonstration
©APA/AFP (archive)
In Poland, supporters of the opposition demonstrated on Sunday (12:00 p.m.) against the policies of the national-conservative ruling party PiS. The protest march through the center of Warsaw has the motto: “Against inflation, theft and lies, for free elections and a democratic, European Poland.” June 4th is an important date in Poland: in 1989, the victory of the democracy movement in the first free elections heralded the end of the communist regime.
The protest is also directed against a new law that provides for the establishment of a commission of inquiry into Russian influence. Critics accuse the PiS of wanting to use this law a few months before the parliamentary elections to pillory opposition politicians for allegedly being pro-Russian.
President Andrzej Duda signed the controversial law on Monday, but later proposed changes after criticism from the EU Commission and the US government. The body, which has many powers, is to examine whether officials made decisions under Moscow’s influence in the years 2007 to 2022 that endangered the country’s security. After Duda’s intervention, the body should no longer be able to impose penalties and bans from office for several years.
Opposition leader Donald Tusk called for the demonstration, but representatives of other parties also joined. Tusk was Prime Minister of Poland from 2007 to 2014 and then President of the EU Council. The PiS government accuses him of having signed unfavorable gas contracts with Russia.
1685827928
#Polish #opposition #demonstrates #democracy #Politics