Polish opposition creates coalition after ruling party ‘takeover’ / Mass protest and counter-march in Warsaw

Several Polish opposition parties announced on 5 May 2016 the creation of a coalition with the declared aim of safeguarding the rule of law and Poland’s place in the European Union.

The move came after what the coalition called a 'takeover' of the institutions of state by the ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS).

The 'Liberty, Equality and Democracy' coalition, sponsored by the civic movement, the Committee for the Defence of Democracy (KOD), would 'defend the rule of law in Poland and its place in the European Union', KOD leader Mateusz Kijowski said.

Tens of thousands gathered in a pro-EU march in Warsaw on the 7 May 2016, protesting at the changes introduced by Poland's ruling conservatives, while a smaller counter-march voiced opposition to interference by the EU in Polish affairs.

Some reports suggested that up to 240,000 took part in the march, but some commentators suggested that these protests were not widely supported by the public across Poland.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Kaczyński announces aim to change Polish constitution http://www.europeansources.info/record/kaczynski-announces-aim-to-change-polish-constitution/

ESO: Background information: Poland’s extra-parliamentary opposition stresses need for civil society http://www.europeansources.info/record/polands-extra-parliamentary-opposition-stresses-need-for-civil-society/

Politico, 19.04.16: Hipster behind Poland’s anti-government resistance http://www.politico.eu/article/the-hipster-mateusz-kijowski-behind-polands-anti-government-resistance-jaroslaw-kaczynski/

Radio Poland, 07.05.16: Mass protest and counter-march in Warsaw http://www.thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/251790,Mass-protest-and-countermarch-in-Warsaw

Deutsche Welle, 07.05.16: Thousands of pro-EU, pro-democracy demonstrators march on Warsaw http://dw.com/p/1IjgH

Politico, 07.05.16: Thousands attend anti-government, pro-Europe march in Poland http://www.politico.eu/article/thousands-attend-anti-government-pro-europe-march-in-poland/

EurActiv, 09.05.16: 240,000 Poles join landmark pro-EU march http://www.euractiv.com/section/central-europe/news/240000-poles-join-landmark-pro-eu-march/

Euro|Topics: Debates, May 2016: Is opposition to PiS government gaining strength? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/158755/is-opposition-to-pis-government-gaining-strength

ESO: Background information: Will Poland’s Law and Justice government respond to international pressure? http://www.europeansources.info/record/will-polands-law-and-justice-government-respond-to-international-pressure/

Deutsche Welle, 08.05.16: [Opinion]: Pro-EU Poles show strength at anti-PIS demo http://dw.com/p/1Ijx1

Politico, 09.05.16: Counting protesters is no Polish joke http://www.politico.eu/article/counting-protesters-is-no-polish-joke-pis-civic-platform-law-and-justice/

EUObserver, 03.06.16: [Analysis]: What is KOD, the Polish pro-democracy movement? https://euobserver.com/political/133698

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