President Karol Nawrocki will meet with protesting farmers today. Those in power are taking a different stance: the Ministry of Agriculture does not plan any talks, and Rafał Trzaskowski is warning farmers not to come to Warsaw with tractors. “I hope the farmers comply with this,” he said.
Today, the Council of the European Union is to hold a vote on the agreement with the Mercosur countries. Farmers associated with the Grassroots Nationwide Farmers’ Protest (OPZZ) have announced a protest for today. The chairman of OPZZ Rolników, Sławomir Izdebski, said that the protesters’ demands concern the government’s entire agricultural policy.
“I hope they comply”
Farmers gathering for Friday’s protest oppose the agreement with the Mercosur countries, among other reasons, because of fears that the Polish and European food markets will be flooded with much cheaper products from South American countries.
Yesterday, Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski commented on the farmers’ protest. His words sounded like a warning not to enter the capital with tractors, as they could face legal trouble.
“Polish law prohibits tractors from entering cities and city centers, so I hope that farmers comply with this. Moreover, the court has clearly stated on this matter as well that such tractor entry is not a normal form of demonstration,” Trzaskowski said, while at the same time acknowledging that he “understands the farmers’ demands.”
Who will meet with the farmers? President Nawrocki confirms
Sławomir Izdebski announced that the protesters would like to meet with Prime Minister Donald Tusk, although at this point no meeting has been confirmed. They do not anticipate a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture. “If the minister wanted to meet with us, he would invite us. Let him express a willingness to talk, and we will invite him to a neutral venue,” said the chairman of OPZZ Rolników. However, the ministry does not plan to meet with the farmers.
A different approach is being taken by the President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, who has announced that he will meet with the protesting farmers. The meeting with the leaders of the protesting agricultural organizations will take place at the Presidential Palace.