Poles celebrate the first king’s coronation in March in March supporting conservative presidential candidates
Warsaw, Poland (AP) – Poles have travelled from all over the country to the national capital for patriotic demonstrations, celebrating 1,000 years since the first Polish king was crowned. They danced in historical costumes, sang the national anthem, invoked Catholic faith, and chanted slogans to support the conservative candidates running for next month’s presidential election.
Thousands of people were supported by the Legal and Judicial Party that ruled Poland for eight years, but were forced to hand over power to the centrist, pro-European Prime Minister Donald Tusk in December 2023.
Jarosław Kaczyński, the leader of the Legal and Judicial Party, called on “all patriots” to join the parade, which reached waves at a party in front of the Royal Castle, and the party’s candidate, historian Karol Nawrocki, 42, spoke with a group of supporters. The castle was rebuilt after being destroyed by the Germans during World War II and is a symbol of national history and resilience.
The march was as the party tried to generate momentum around a candidate who had been struggling with polls against leaders, and the city of RafałTrzaskowski, mayor of Vaso, has been growing in campaigns among conservatives who popularized and threatened law and justice against the country.
Saturday’s event was the coronation of the Polish first king, Bolesławthe Brave, and on April 18, 1025, it was a historic moment that confirmed Poland’s national independence. It also celebrates another anniversary in Polish history: 500 years since the Principality of Prussia became the fief of the Polish crown in 1525.
This resonates emotionally for a country that has been invaded by Germany in its history.
During the march, participants waved the national flag and shouted “Long live Poland and “Polish President Carol Navorok”! They also called for slogans to support the right-wing television broadcast series “Republic”, which has the potential to lose its land broadcast license and be lost in Trzaskowski.
Trzaskowski has more than 30% voting rights, while Nawrocki just exceeded 20%. The pair joined a debate Friday night in an attempt to win new votes or at least provide vitality for their traditional electorate. The chaotic organization and disagreement about the form of debate highlights the deep political divisions in Poland.
The elections held on May 18 may be held on June 1 runoff, which will determine whether law and justice remain ally in the presidential palace. Incumbent Andrzej Duda is an ally, but his second and final semester ends this summer. He used the veto to block certain elements of Tusk’s agenda.
