WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The leader of Poland’s right-wing opposition party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, accused the pro-European Union government of acting against the country’s interests and breaking the law on Saturday, addressing a rally of several thousand supporters in the capital.
Kaczynski also called on supporters to be active on a social and political level and to support his Law and Justice Party candidate in next year’s presidential election. He has yet to name the candidate.
Some 4,000 people gathered with national white-and-red flags for the demonstration, which took place in windy weather outside the Ministry of Justice in Warsaw. The rally has become a symbol of years of deep disagreement between Kaczynski’s supporters and Donald Tusk, the current prime minister.
Law and Justice, which ruled in 2015-23, was criticized by both Brussels and Tusk for making changes to Poland’s legal system that were seen as undemocratic. Many in the country of 38 million also grew tired of the aggressive and divisive language used by Kaczyński, who dictated government policy from the backbenches, to drum up support.
The party lost power in the 2023 elections but still exercises control over the presidency through President Andrzej Duda, who is aligned with Law and Justice.
Duda is blocking many of the government’s bills in what is a rather rough society. Duda’s second and final term ends in August.