Poland witnessed a significant display of nationalist sentiment as tens of thousands gathered in Warsaw for the annual Independence Day march, held to commemorate the end of more than a century of partition by Russia, Prussia, and Austria. The event, which has been a source of tension between right-wing groups and Poland's centrist government, took place on November 11, with participants carrying Polish flags and assembling in central Warsaw. Critics have often pointed out the march's anti-Semitic and anti-immigration rhetoric, while supporters argue it is an expression of national pride under the motto "A Pole is the host in Poland."
Organisers anticipated a record turnout, with foreign nationalists expected to attend, including Spain's Revuelta and members of Hungary's far-right Mi Hazank party. Poland's conservative-nationalist President Karol Nawrocki was among those attending the march, reiterating his stance that the nation does not exist for political elites to manage citizens against the will of the nation.
Tensions were high prior to the march following a deadly shooting in Krakow on November 7 that left six people dead and over a dozen injured. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for restraint amidst heightened political divisions, urging unity and emphasizing that Poland's independence, freedom, and secure Republic should be considered a common good. Justice Minister Waldemar Zurek reportedly stated that the gunman who carried out the attack may have been influenced by the neo-Nazi Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people in Norway in 2011. The gunman died at a hospital after being shot and arrested by police officers on Saturday when he opened fire from his car.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged for unity and restraint amidst heightened political divisions following the deadly Krakow shooting linked to far-right ideology. Tens of thousands of nationalist sympathizers gathered in Warsaw for an Independence Day march, with participants carrying Polish flags and assembling in central Warsaw on November 11. The annual march has faced criticism for anti-Semitic and anti-immigration rhetoric, while supporters argue it is an expression of national pride under the motto "A Pole is the host in Poland."
Organisers expected a record turnout, with many foreign nationalists set to attend, including Spain's Revuelta, a youth movement linked to Vox, and members of the Hungarian far-right Mi Hazank party. Poland's conservative-nationalist President Karol Nawrocki was seen attending the march and has previously participated in both his official capacity and as a private citizen. Nawrocki stated that Poland does not exist today so that political elites can grant themselves the right to manage citizens against the will of the nation.
Prior to the march, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk appealed for restraint amidst heightened political divisions following the deadly shooting in Krakow on November 7. The gunman, who may have been motivated by far-right ideology, killed six people and wounded more than a dozen in the main square of Krakow. On Tuesday, Justice Minister Waldemar Zurek stated that the gunman had shown interest in the neo-Nazi Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people in Norway in 2011. The police announced on Monday that the 24-year-old gunman died at a hospital after he was shot by police officers and arrested on Saturday when he opened fire from his car.