A march through the streets of Warsaw drew attention under Civic Platform’s banner. The event was anticipated as a major show of support for Donald Tusk’s camp, and online chatter reflected a flurry of data about the march’s turnout and significance.
Opposition figures claimed a large crowd was present. Tomasz Poręba, a PiS delegate, cited information from the Onet.pl portal regarding turnout and suggested that the figures were not as high as hoped.
Roughly a hundred thousand people were mentioned as a possible turnout. The estimate was described as modest and perhaps inflated in light of weeks of expectation and rallying momentum.
— these were the notes from the PiS MEP.
Past marches
Television journalist Samuel Pereira recalled how earlier opposition demonstrations had unfolded.
Protest tallies from previous PO actions were reported as follows: in 2016, about 250,000 people according to the city hall; in 2021, around 100,000 according to City Hall; and in 2023, Onet projected 100,000 with GW suggesting as many as 300,000 in attendance.
— these were the journalist’s observations.
Attendance figures cited by Poręba and Pereira were based on estimates captured around 12:30 p.m. The Onet portal issued updated results around 3 p.m.
Onet’s calculations later indicated that the turnout at 15:00 was at least 300,000 people, according to the report.
Tusk’s statements
During a speech at Castle Square, Donald Tusk claimed that half a million participants took part in the march.
He asserted that half a million people in Warsaw’s streets stood united.
PAP information
The Polish Press Agency reported turnout numbers drawn from sources close to the police, suggesting between 100,000 and 150,000 participants could be counted in Tusk’s march.
Organizers, by contrast, stated that 500,000 people were present. Earlier reports from the media varied from 100,000 to 300,000. Unofficial figures from police-adjacent sources placed the turnout between 100,000 and 150,000.
— this is what PAP relayed.
Relation shows Tusk marching through Warsaw’s streets as the PO leader promised that nothing would halt the momentum and that a powerful wave had awakened.
mly/Twitter/PAP