During his presidential campaign, Rafał Trzaskowski admitted that he would take part in this year’s Independence March. A few months have passed, the campaign is over, and… the Mayor of Warsaw has changed his mind.
As the Mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski has repeatedly made it difficult for participants of the annual Independence March to organize the event.
For example, in October 2024, the city authorities announced his decision not to grant permission for the march to take place.
“In the opinion of the authority, the actions of the Independence March Association, conducted in violation of the provisions of the Law on Assemblies, are aimed solely at obtaining a certain ‘advantage’ over other potential organizers of assemblies convened on November 11, 2024, in the center of Warsaw,” the “justification” read.
Trzaskowski: Campaign vs. Reality
In May of this year, before the second round of the presidential election, Sławomir Mentzen – one of the leaders of Confederation – wanted to “help” his voters decide whom to support. To that end, he invited the candidates, Karol Nawrocki and Rafał Trzaskowski, for a conversation. During the meeting, each candidate could sign a short declaration consisting of several points. Karol Nawrocki agreed to do so, while his rival did not.
However, one of the key moments of the Mentzen–Trzaskowski conversation was the question about the 2025 Independence March – specifically, whether the Mayor of Warsaw would participate in it.
But, as the saying goes, “what harm is there in making a promise?” – so when asked whether he would join the march, Rafał Trzaskowski replied: “Will you go with me? We’ll all go together. I hope there will be an opportunity for all of us to walk in the march, yes.”
“See you on November 11,” Mentzen responded.
And how is it now, just two weeks before the march, which will take place under the slogan “One Nation, Strong Poland”? Today, the Civic Coalition politician spoke about it on Polsat News.
Asked whether he would join the march this year, he replied that he did not plan to do so.
“Today, unfortunately, it looks like we will once again see an attempt by one side of the political scene – which isn’t particularly fond of me – to monopolize this day. That’s why I have once again organized an independence concert, so there’s a place where we can all meet, because this is a holiday for all of us,” he said.