Law and Justice will demonstrate before the Ministry of Justice in Warsaw on Saturday, September 14 at 1:00 p.m. During the StopPatoWładzy protest, the party leader Jarosław Kaczyński will speak, and a nationwide referendum on the migration pact will begin with a signature drive.
According to PiS officials, the demonstration is prompted by recent searches conducted at the headquarters of the Independence March Association and at the residence of the association’s former chairman, Robert Bąkiewicz. The searches are linked to investigations into alleged crimes linked to the 2018 Independence March. Kaczyński has described the actions as an attempt to ban the march. Representatives from the Independence March Association and its former leader have characterized the searches as threats from an unknown individual made during the MN event. The contact point is described as one person for every several hundred thousand participants who attended the 2018 march.
Jablonski: The government has openly signaled further legal violations
PiS MP Paweł Jabłoński spoke on PAP Studio on Friday, expressing hope for strong turnout despite forecasts of rain. He also warned that protests of this kind would likely continue, underscoring a belief that the government would not back down.
– stated Jablonski.
The government has openly signaled additional violations of the law. People have the right to protest. If public resistance remains steadfast and sizable, the government may reconsider its approach.
PiS urges participation in the protest
On Thursday, the leadership of PiS urged supporters to join Saturday’s event.
The StopPatoAuthority demonstration will offer a platform to oppose the coalition’s December 13 actions, described as breaking the law and advancing a migration pact that Poland would be asked to accept, potentially leading to the relocation of irregular migrants. During the event, a nationwide referendum petition on stopping the migration pact and securing borders will be launched.
– the text of the PiS appeal released on Thursday notes.
Kaczyński announced the referendum plan at the end of June during a party convention in Pułtusk, outlining the party’s strategy for the coming months.
From September, signatures will be collected to push for a new referendum. The aim is to secure a mandate for action, with the belief that a successful referendum could influence future policy on migration.
– he remarked at the time.
Migration Pact
The migration pact, adopted in the spring, seeks to address migration issues across the European Union. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has stated that Poland will not accept migrants, a claim that has faced skepticism from opponents. The pact involves negotiations and commitments related to migration flows within the EU. A previous referendum, initiated by PiS, took place during the parliamentary elections on October 15, 2023. The measure did not meet the turnout threshold, leaving the results non-binding. The Sejm holds the authority to place a specific issue on a referendum, including at the request of 500,000 eligible citizens.
The PiS demonstration is expected to begin at 1 p.m.
yes/PAP