Thousands of nationalists march in Warsaw as Poland celebrates 108 years of independence in a tense atmosphere. Far-right leaders from across Europe are expected at the demonstration.
The annual Independence March takes place as Poland commemorates the restoration of its independence in 1918, after 123 years of partition between Russia, Prussia, and Austria. This year marks 108 years since that historic moment.
The march in Warsaw began at 2:30 PM local time (3:30 PM Romanian time), with crowds waving Polish flags and wearing scarves in red and white, the national colors, as they headed through the city center towards the National Stadium.
Poland’s nationalist president, Karol Nawrocki, joined the procession, organized under the slogan "Poles should be masters in their own country."
Poland has mobilized additional police forces in the capital Warsaw, as thousands of far-right supporters, including many expected from across Europe, gathered Wednesday for the annual march amid political tensions sparked by a mass shooting in Krakow, Reuters reports.
The Independence Day march has long caused tensions between right-wing parties and the centrists currently in power, who argue that it serves as a platform for racism and anti-Semitism. Participants deny these accusations, stating that the gathering, organized under the motto "A Pole is a host in Poland," is an expression of national pride.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for restraint amid sharper political divisions than usual, after ministers angered nationalists by suggesting that the man who killed six people in Krakow’s main square may have been motivated by far-right ideology.
"I address everyone, including those who will gather in Warsaw. Maybe we have different opinions, maybe we keep each other in check and sometimes we may even be political adversaries; yet, anyone who truly cares about Poland must understand that this space, defined by independence, freedom, and a safe Republic, is a common good," Tusk said in Szczecin, in northwest Poland.
The march organizers urged people not to exploit it for political purposes. They say they expect a record turnout, with many foreign nationalists, including the Spanish movement Revuelta, a youth movement linked to Vox, as well as members of the Hungarian far-right party Mi Hazánk.
"We have condemned the political attacks related to this tragedy – whether they came from the right or the left," said Rafal Buca, spokesperson for the march organizers. "We want a sovereign Poland, independent from foreign capitals... We also envision a Poland as monoethnic as possible," Buca said.
The police stated that they have mobilized more officers from outside the capital Warsaw, but refused to specify their number. Concrete barriers were installed on streets adjacent to the starting point in the city center, while law enforcement conducted searches in neighboring areas.
Authorities have previously tried to prevent the march from taking place following clashes between some participants and their political opponents or the police.