Poland is not out to destroy the European Union but to change it ideologically, Polish writer, journalist and historian Ziemowit Szczerek says, as Europe’s eyes turn to Warsaw and a march to mark the centenary of Polish independence.
Last year’s anniversary was marred by racist and xenophobic banners bearing slogans such as ‘Europe will be white or uninhabited’ at a march organised by right-wing groups and attended by some 60,000 people.
Warsaw mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, a member of the opposition Civic Platform, banned a repeat march, but a court overturned that decision on Thursday. The ruling Law and Justice party, PiS, which has a strongly nationalist platform, says it will organise its own march and all are invited.