Poles rally to support EU ahead of vote
WARSAW, Poland — Thousands of opposition supporters marched Saturday in the Polish capital to celebrate the nation’s European Union membership ahead of the key European Parliament election this week.
In Warsaw, the EU Council president and Poland’s former prime minister, Donald Tusk, and numerous opposition figures led the “Poland in Europe” march through downtown. The pro-EU rally aimed to underline that Poles want to be an important member in the 28-nation bloc, even though Poland’s right-wing government is highly critical of the EU and its institutions.
“We must always be in the EU, we are Europeans and being together is helping Poland develop and feel safe,” said Ewa Gaska, a translator.
At the same time, ruling party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski addressed a gathering of supporters to discredit the opposition, alleging that its policies failed to represent or defend Poland’s interests in the bloc.
Speaking in church-studded Krakow, in the midst of a heated electoral campaign in the predominantly Catholic nation, Kaczynski said the main opposition party, Civic Platform, supported left-wing and anti-Christian policies.
At the Warsaw rally, leaders from center-left parties, including Civic Platform, called on Poles to vote in the European Parliament election being held here on May 26, saying it is crucial for Poland’s standing in the EU. Polish turnout in European elections has always been well under 30%.