Tens of thousands of Poles marched through Warsaw’s streets on Sunday in competing demonstrations endorsing runners in next week’s presidential runoff, as the country is getting ready for a tightly followed election that will determine its democratic course.
Supporters of Warsaw’s liberal mayor, Rafal Trzaskowski, rallied in a massive display of might led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Trzaskowski, who won narrowly in the first round of voting on May 18, is pitted against nationalist candidate Karol Nawrocki in the last round of voting. With flags bearing the slogan “DemOKracja” and Polish and EU flags fluttering high, Trzaskowski addressed the crowd, “All of Poland, all of Europe, and the world are watching us.”
The pro-Trzaskowski demonstration attracted an estimated 140,000 participants, preliminary city authority estimates cited by the Polish Press Agency put it. Joining the marchers was Romanian President Nicusor Dan, who made a commitment to regional cooperation and to supporting democratic values after his own recent election victory over a hard-right rival.
Meanwhile, around 50,000 Nawrocki supporters protested independently, brandishing signs reading “Stop Migration Pact” and “This is Poland,” and some wearing pro-Trump paraphernalia. Nawrocki defined his campaign in terms of resisting liberal ideology, EU migration policies, and attacks on Polish sovereignty.
The outcome of the next election is regarded as pivotal to Prime Minister Tusk’s reform agenda. Tusk, since coming to power in 2023, has attempted to roll back alterations implemented by the earlier Law and Justice government, which were heavily criticized by the European Union as democratic regression.
As polls narrow, the verdict is uncertain. The mood of voters, particularly among undecided and young voters, may decide whether Poland becomes more liberal in its European integration or holds on to nationalist conservatism.
