“People want change today—Poles want change. They refuse to accept a government that controls us all and plunges us into debt. That’s why the heart of Poland is beating here in Warsaw right now—and you can feel it: the hope, the energy, the faith in victory,” said presidential hopeful Dr Karol Nawrocki moments before the start of Sunday’s Great March for Poland.
Shortly after noon, the march set off from Warsaw’s De Gaulle Roundabout at the invitation of the civic-backed candidate. Thousands of participants are making their way along Nowy Świat and Krakowskie Przedmieście toward Castle Square, where speeches by special guests and Dr Nawrocki himself are scheduled.
Reiterating his message in an interview with TV Republika, Nawrocki declared: “People want change today—Poles want change. They refuse to accept a government that controls us all and burdens us with debt. That’s why the heart of Poland is beating here in Warsaw—and you can see it: the hope, the enthusiasm, the belief in victory.”
Earlier, PiS spokesperson Rafał Bochenek warned that several “spontaneous” counter-demonstrations had been organized on or near the march route, apparently aiming to disrupt the Great March for Poland.