Introduction
New government sworn in, launches judicial reform
On 13th December 2023, Donald Tusk's new government was officially inaugurated by President Andrzej Duda following a vote of confidence by the Sejm. Tusk’s government, marking a shift from eight years of nationalist rule by the Law and Justice (PiS) party, has sparked expectations of improved relations with the European Union. In the elections held on 15th October 2023, PiS came first, but they could not form a government. Tusk emphasised support for Ukraine and a commitment to the constitution and the restoration of the rule of law, highlighting it as a key factor behind the high voter turnout in the election.
In March 2024, the new Polish government launched plans for judicial reforms aimed at restoring the rule of law and ensuring the independence of the judiciary from executive power. This initiative, announced by Justice Minister Adam Bodnar, seeks to address the issues surrounding the Constitutional Tribunal that emerged during the tenure of the previous government. The proposed reforms include an amendment to the Polish constitution, two additional bills, and a parliamentary resolution, all designed to enhance the functioning and autonomy of the Constitutional Tribunal.
The PiS government, in power from 2015 to 2023, had implemented a series of judicial reforms, including changes to the Constitutional Tribunal, which were criticised for undermining judicial independence. These reforms faced opposition from the European Commission, leading to the freezing of certain EU funds over rule of law concerns. The Tusk government’s reform plan aims to reverse these changes and has been presented to EU ministers, receiving a positive response. The European Commission has since announced the release of significant EU funds to Poland, signalling approval of the proposed judicial reforms.
Migrant pushbacks
In February 2024, Poland disclosed figures on migrant “pushbacks” at the Belarus border for the first time. They show that between July 2023 and January 2024, there were more than 6,000 cases of pushbacks, where migrants were forced out of Polish territory without the opportunity to apply for asylum. The pushback policy, initiated by the previous government in response to an increase in migrants attempting to cross from Belarus, had faced criticism for violating human rights and Polish law. Under the new government, the frequency of pushbacks has decreased significantly. However, the government is yet to present a comprehensive action plan against pushbacks. In January 2024, 101 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and 550 activists, artists, and academics called on the prime minister to immediately end the pushbacks.
Local elections held
On 7th April 2024, local elections were held in Poland. Law and Justice (PiS) won the popular vote, but the ruling Civic Coalition (KO) will control more regional councils. PiS secured 34.27% of votes, controlling seven out of 16 regional councils, while KO received 30.59%, controlling nine. Despite PiS's strong showing, KO performed well in mayoral races in major cities like Warsaw and Gdańsk. A second round of voting will be held on 21st April 2024, where no mayoral candidate won over 50%.
Freedom of Assembly
Farmers’ protests
Since January 2023, Polish farmers have staged multiple protests and achieved a temporary ban on Ukrainian food imports under the previous government. During the reporting period, the protests escalated. Farmers blockaded the Ukrainian border, disrupted traffic on roads throughout Poland, and occasionally clashed with the police, signalling a fierce commitment to their cause.
The farmers are protesting against the EU Green Deal's rigorous environmental policies, which they argue impose undue burdens on them, and the lifting of customs duties on Ukrainian farm goods following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. These measures have supported Ukrainian agriculture but intensified competition for Polish farmers.
Some of the most important developments are listed below:
On 9th February 2024, Polish farmers launched a series of protests against EU climate policy and agricultural imports from Ukraine under the banner of the Solidarity trade union. Farmers announced over 250 protests across the country, blocking roads and border crossings and declaring that their “patience has run out”.
On 11th February 2024, at the Yahodyn-Dorohusk border crossing, Polish farmers stopped three trucks, dumping Ukrainian grain in protest against EU policies. They claim that importing cheap Ukrainian grain into Poland harms their earnings. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba condemned the action, emphasising the need for accountability to maintain Polish-Ukrainian relations. Polish Agriculture Minister Czesław Siekierski apologised and called for dialogue.
On 23rd February 2024, a planned meeting at the Polish-Ukrainian border to address the blockade of Ukrainian food imports did not take place. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, ready to discuss solutions, was left waiting with his team. The blockade, which has disrupted trade for six months, is part of a broader protest against EU agricultural policies. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk proposed a meeting in Warsaw on 28th March, stressing the importance of keeping border crossings open for aid to Ukraine.
On 26th February 2024, Polish farmers began a blockade at the border crossing with Slovakia, claiming the route was being used to bypass the earlier blockade of the Ukrainian border.
On 27th February 2024, thousands of Polish farmers, joined by miners, hunters, and farmers from other EU countries, protested in Warsaw against EU climate policies and Ukrainian agricultural imports. Prime Minister Tusk, attending a summit in Prague, acknowledged their concerns and promised action. Agriculture Minister Siekierski criticised the EU’s Green Deal, while farmers reiterated that their demands are for permanent changes to EU policy and not just temporary suspensions.
On 6th March 2024, tens of thousands of farmers descended on Warsaw once again to protest climate policies and Ukrainian imports. Violence erupted, with police reportedly using pepper spray, batons, and stun grenades against protesters. Protesters retaliated by throwing cobblestones and other objects at officers near parliament. Twenty-three protesters were arrested. The protest spread beyond Warsaw, with farmers blocking the Lublin-Warsaw highway using tractors.
On 9th March 2024, around 400 farmers from Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic gathered in Bogatynia, a Polish village near the border between the three countries. The demonstrators called for a reassessment of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy and argued that the unregulated import of products such as Ukrainian grain could destroy the markets of all three countries involved.
On 20th March 2024, tens of thousands of farmers staged their largest protest to date by blocking roads across Poland, including access to major cities and border crossings. Discussions between Prime Minister Tusk and farmer leaders have failed to satisfy their demands. The European Parliament recently extended the suspension of import duties on Ukrainian exports while promising safeguards for EU farmers.
Truckers’ protests
On 16th January 2024, after two months of protests at border crossings with Ukraine, Polish truckers temporarily suspended their demonstrations until 1st March, following an agreement with the government. The truckers' grievances centred on the perceived unfair competition from Ukrainian transport companies, facilitated by a 2022 EU-Ukraine deal that lifted restrictions on Ukrainian firms operating within the EU. The agreement included efforts to expedite the return of empty Polish trucks from Ukraine, a promise from the Polish government to seek modifications to the EU-Ukraine deal through negotiations with the EU Commission, and stricter inspections of Ukrainian trucks.
PiS protest challenging new government's legitimacy
On 11th January 2024, a large protest organised by the ousted Law and Justice (PiS) party drew thousands to Warsaw. PiS claimed an attendance of 300,000, while city officials estimated 35,000 participants. The protest targeted the government's European alignment, the removal of PiS-appointed public media managers, and the recent imprisonment of former PiS ministers Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik, whom PiS claims are “political prisoners” wrongly convicted for their anti-corruption efforts. Demonstrators voiced support for freedom and the rule of law, questioning the government's legitimacy and its impact on democracy and media freedom.
This reflects PiS’s strategy of throwing the narrative of democracy and the rule of law back at its political opponents, who campaigned on the promise they would save Poland’s democracy by defeating the illiberal PiS, which had undermined the judiciary and rule of law and driven a wedge between the country and the EU.
Warsaw’s mayor bans event honouring assassin
In December 2023, Warsaw's Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski banned a controversial event intended to commemorate the assassin of Poland's first president, Gabriel Narutowicz, who was murdered on 16th December 1922. Trzaskowski condemned the event as promoting hate and glorifying a crime, violating Polish law. Narutowicz, elected amid Poland’s post-independence political turbulence, was supported by the centre-left and ethnic minorities. His assassination by Eligiusz Niewiadomski, a figure glorified by some right-wing nationalists, occurred just days into his presidency. City authorities did not name the event organiser but shared that he had links to far-right groups and had been involved in anti-Semitic activities. They also shared that the man had published a video referring to Niewiadomski as a “hero” who “protected Poland” from freemasons.
Protest for disability allowance increase
On 21st March 2024, people with disabilities and their caregivers staged a protest outside the Polish parliament, demanding that the government honour its pre-election promise to raise the so-called “social pension,” which is paid to people who are unable to work for health reasons, to match the minimum wage, which is currently far higher. The protesters, who had hoped the change in government would lead to improved conditions, felt let down by the delay in passing the proposed legislation. The authorities blamed the delay on the need to integrate various proposals, claiming the bill that would raise the social pension needs to wait for input from the finance ministry and the prime minister’s office before proceeding further.
Silent march honouring rape victim
On 6th March 2024, a silent march was held in Warsaw to honour Lizaveta, a 25-year-old Belarusian refugee who died after a brutal rape and assault in the city centre. Around 2,000 participants marched under the slogan “Her name was Liza”, demanding safety and solidarity for women.
Freedom of expression
Criticism from press freedom advocates as new government overhauls public media
In December 2023, only days after being sworn in, Poland's new government initiated significant changes in the country’s public service media landscape, aiming to fulfil a campaign promise to reform public television and radio and restore impartiality.
Press freedom advocates have sharply criticised the PiS government’s instrumentalisation of state media as a propaganda tool during its eight years in office. However, the drastic steps taken by the new government on questionable legal grounds drew criticism from media freedom organisations, with the Media Freedom Rapid Response Mechanism calling on the Polish government to ensure the means by which public media are reformed are “democratic, legal and truly aimed at increasing pluralistic and balanced coverage, prioritising the public interest over any one political interest.”
On 14th December, prompted by a request from a group of PiS MPs, the Constitutional Tribunal issued an interim order for the government to refrain from taking any actions aimed at the dissolution of the country’s two public broadcasters, TVP and Polish Radio, as well as “any activities aimed at changes in their management boards.” However, the Ministry of Culture dismissed the ruling, a view echoed by a number of legal experts who questioned the Tribunal’s legitimacy and competence to rule on the issue. On the same day, PiS supporters and public media employees staged a protest against the planned overhaul.
On 19th December, parliament passed a resolution calling on all state authorities to implement measures to restore the broadcaster’s independence. At the same time, politicians from the former government staged a sit-in at the broadcaster, claiming a desire to “defend democracy” – which some commentators dismissed as laughable, given the party’s track record in office.
In line with the resolution, the State Treasury immediately dismissed the supervisory and management boards of TVP, Polish Radio, and the Polish News Agency (PAP), with Culture Minister Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz announcing new appointments. This move was harshly criticised, not just by the former government and its allies, but also pro-democracy advocates. The administration’s refusal to disclose the legal opinions underpinning its actions raised concerns about transparency and legality, prompting the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (HFHR) to announce plans to challenge the decision in court.
Chaos ensued on 20th December as employees of the mentioned public media outlets and PiS MPs sought to physically prevent the new appointees from taking up their posts. According to PiS, a person accompanying the new TVP president “battered” PiS MP Joanna Borowiak, who was subsequently hospitalised.
The chaos of the takeover continued on the air and online. Shortly after the minister's intervention, the operations of TVP World—Poland's English-language news channel—along with several Polish-language channels run by the state broadcaster, were suspended, with the usual programming replaced with filler content. Samuel Pereira, the sacked director of TV Info, started a livestream on YouTube showing the TVP Info programme that would have been broadcast if the station had not been taken off the air, filmed with his mobile phone camera. The stream was removed after 30 minutes. While a “group of IT specialists” were able to take control of most of the public broadcaster’s social media accounts, Pereira refused to cede control of TVP Info’s X (formerly Twitter) account, which he managed personally, to the new management.
On 23rd December, President Andrzej Duda, who is allied with the PiS, announced that he would veto a law on the 2024 budget submitted by the government and approved by the parliamentary majority that would have provided up to 3 billion zloty for public media. He justified this with the takeover, which he described as “a flagrant violation of the constitution and the principles of a democratic state of law”. In response, on 27th December, Minister Sienkiewicz announced he would put TVP, PAP and Polish Radio into liquidation, claiming on social media that “[S]uch action will ensure the continued operation of these companies, carry out the necessary restructuring and prevent layoffs of employees in the above-mentioned companies.”
In the first few months of 2024, the new government was confronted with multiple legal disputes relating to the takeover. Some registry courts initially refused to recognise the changes to the broadcasters’ management structure and the decision to place them in liquidation. However, by 9th April 2024, the liquidations of TVP, PAP and Polish Radio (including all its regional branches) had been accepted by courts. On social media, Sienkiewicz declared that this marked “the end of the dispute over the validity of the liquidation of the abomination that was PiS television,” further stating that “the steamroller does not argue with the asphalt as to which way it should go.”
TVP charged with pro gov’t bias
In February 2024, TVP, the state broadcaster, faced backlash over a promotional video perceived as biassed towards the new government, reigniting debates about media impartiality.
The video showed a compilation of clips of politicians from the ruling coalition appearing on TVP Info and expressing their joy at being back on public television for the first time in years, as they had not had the opportunity to do so while in opposition. The video was intended to illustrate a change in editorial policy from the years of the PiS government, when the channel served as the government's propaganda mouthpiece. However, the advert was criticised because it appeared to perpetuate the same biassed reporting that press freedom groups had previously condemned the broadcaster for.
The only non-politician featured in the advert was a journalist, who stated that his inclusion was without consent. Following the journalist’s complaint, TVP issued an apology and promised to revise the video.
PKN Orlen’s CEO dismissed
In February 2024, Daniel Obajtek was dismissed as CEO of PKN Orlen, a leading state-owned energy company, after the new government pledged to purge state-controlled companies of individuals it regarded as political appointees of the previous administration. Obajtek’s tenure was marked by controversy, notably Orlen’s acquisition of Polska Press, a media company dominating local and regional press, which drew international criticism for undermining media freedom. In 2021, immediately after taking over the company, PKN Orlen carried out an editorial purge at regional newspapers owned by Polska Press, in which eight editors-in-chief were dismissed or pushed out within months of the acquisition, with numerous other employees resigning.
Cessation of state subsidies for religious publications
On 14th March 2024, Culture Minister Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz announced the cessation of state subsidies for religious publications, emphasising Poland's secular identity. This decision aligns with the government’s aim to reduce the influence of religion in public life. Sienkiewicz assured that subsidies would continue for a range of political publications, including those critical of the government.
TVN fined for lack of objectivity
On 6th March 2024, Poland's broadcasting authority, KRRiT fined TVN, Poland's leading private broadcaster, over a documentary on Pope John Paul II’s alleged mishandling of child sexual abuse cases within the Catholic Church, citing a “lack of objectivity.” TVN condemned the fine as censorship and vowed to contest the decision. The documentary scrutinised the late pope’s handling of abusive priests during his tenure as Archbishop of Kraków, sparking debate over his legacy. The fine, issued after thousands of complaints, accused TVN of bias and offending religious sentiment—a stance critics view as an attempt to stifle media freedom and historical debate.
Pegasus scandal continues
In February 2024, a parliamentary commission was formed to investigate the former Polish government’s use of Pegasus spyware, revealing a broader scope of unauthorised surveillance than initially recognised. The commission aims to identify both the perpetrators and the victims of the spyware’s deployment, which targeted lawyers, journalists, and civilians. It summoned PiS chairman Jarosław Kaczyński as its first witness, along with other key figures from the previous administration. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has acknowledged the gravity of the surveillance scandal, suggesting that the number of victims is extensive, though specific details remain undisclosed.
Man detained for anti-Tusk graffiti
A man has been detained for allegedly painting anti-Tusk graffiti on the walls of the historical Holy Trinity Church of Peace in Świdnica, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The graffiti insulted Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his party, Civic Platform (PO), and included offensive symbols and comparisons to Hitler. The suspect faces charges of insulting a public official and damaging culturally significant property, with potential prison sentences ranging from two to ten years. Local community members and church officials condemned the act, emphasising the importance of maintaining civil discourse. Poland has a wide range of laws which allow for imprisonment for insulting or defamatory speech.
Justice minister initiates investigation into anti-immigrant comments of TV commentator
In January 2024, Justice Minister Adam Bodnar launched an investigation into comments made by TV commentator Jan Pietrzak, who suggested housing immigrants the EU relocates to Poland under the Union’s new migration pact in Auschwitz and other former Nazi concentration and extermination camps. “They count on the Poles being prepared because we have barracks. We have barracks for immigrants in Auschwitz, Majdanek, Treblinka, Sztutowo,” said Pietrzak, adding, “We have a lot of barracks built here by the Germans. And there we will keep these immigrants, illegally forced on us by the Germans.”
The remarks, aired on the conservative station TV Republika, drew widespread condemnation, including from the Auschwitz Museum and President Duda's chief of staff, for its offensive instrumentalisation of the Holocaust's tragedy. However, the latter defended freedom of speech and criticised Bodnar’s decision to involve prosecutors.
Prominent investigative journalist suspended over sexual harassment allegations
In January 2024, Gazeta Wyborcza, one of Poland's leading newspapers, suspended investigative journalist Marcin Kącki following allegations of past abusive behaviour. Kącki had published an article recounting his struggles with past abusive actions towards women. His article drew public criticism from journalist Karolina Rogaska, one of his victims, who detailed the abuse she experienced. Gazeta Wyborcza quickly announced Kącki’s suspension, reaffirming its commitment to victims' rights and pledging a thorough investigation. The incident has reignited discussions about sexual harassment within the Polish media industry, underscoring ongoing concerns about the treatment of women in journalism.
Polish parliament lifts immunity of far-right MP known for using a fire extinguisher on Hanukkah candles
The Polish parliament voted to lift the legal immunity of Grzegorz Braun, a far-right MP for inflammatory statements and actions, including disrupting Jewish celebrations, promoting conspiracy theories, and assaulting former Health Minister Łukasz Szumowski. This decision paves the way for Braun to face seven charges, including “insulting an object of religious worship” for using a fire extinguisher on Hanukkah candles. Other charges relate to assault, defamation, property damage, and public order offences. The majority of MPs supported the motion to strip Braun of immunity in seven separate votes. During the debate, Braun defended his actions with further inflammatory remarks against Jews and the LGBTQI+ community.
Freedom of Association
Court annuls entry ban on leader of Open Dialogue Foundation
In December 2023, a Polish court annulled the entry ban on Lyudmyla Kozlovska, the Ukrainian leader of the Open Dialogue Foundation, which had been imposed by the previous Law and Justice (PiS) government on alleged security grounds. Kozlovska, who had been barred from entering Poland since 2018, contested the ban as politically motivated due to her and her husband's criticisms of the PiS administration. Despite the complications caused by her entry ban being listed in the Schengen Information System, which restricted her travel within the EU, she continued her advocacy efforts, including speaking at the European Parliament.
Women’s rights
Liberalising abortion
In February 2024, the centre-right Third Way (Trzecia Droga), the most conservative faction of Poland's ruling coalition, proposed a bill to liberalise the country’s abortion law by restoring the right to terminate pregnancies in cases of diagnosed foetal defects, which had been banned under the previous government. The other coalition partners had already proposed more liberal bills in prior months. Third Way has suggested holding a public referendum to determine the law’s future, considering its proposal a “rescue bill” due to the coalition’s lack of consensus.
Later, in March 2024, tensions arose within the coalition over Parliament Speaker Szymon Hołownia’s decision to delay abortion legislation until after local elections. Hołownia justified the delay as necessary to prevent election campaign pressures from undermining potential compromises. However, this move sparked fierce criticism from coalition partners. “Continually postponing this issue is cowardice,” wrote Deputy Justice Minister Krzysztof Śmiszek. “Women’s rights NOW!”
Prescription-free morning-after pills become legal
In February 2024, the Sejm, Poland's lower house of parliament, passed a bill allowing prescription-free access to the morning-after pill, reversing a 2017 decision by the conservative PiS government that required a doctor’s prescription. The bill, aimed at making emergency contraception accessible over the counter to individuals aged 15 and older, aligns with one of the Civic Coalition’s (KO) electoral promises. While the Senate approved the bill, President Andrzej Duda expressed concerns about teenagers' health and refused to sign it into law. However, the government had anticipated this scenario and prepared a contingency plan. According to Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna, the pill will still become available from May.
New government committed to respecting Istanbul Convention
On 30th January 2024, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced at a press conference that the new government is fully committed to respecting the Istanbul Convention, a key international treaty aimed at combating violence against women and domestic violence. The previous PiS-led government had challenged the treaty's compatibility with the Polish constitution before the Constitutional Tribunal, potentially paving the way for Poland’s withdrawal.
Mikołaj Czerwiński of Amnesty International Poland told BIRN that his organisation welcomed the withdrawal of the petition to the Constitutional Tribunal. “The Istanbul Convention is crucial, as women in Poland are still not safe, and it sets the highest standards of protection against domestic and gender-based violence,” Czerwiński said.
LGBTQI+ rights
European Court rulings with potentially profound impact
In December 2023, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) delivered judgments that may significantly influence human rights in Poland, as the new government has pledged to implement rulings from both the ECHR and the European Court of Justice (ECJ). In two separate cases, the ECHR ruled in favour of a woman denied an abortion and several same-sex couples seeking legal recognition. These rulings challenge Poland’s restrictions on abortion and the lack of legal protections for same-sex partnerships, setting the stage for potential legislative changes.
A few days later, Poland’s new ruling coalition, comprising the Civic Coalition (KO), the Third Way (Trzecia Droga), and The Left (Lewica), announced plans to introduce legal recognition for same-sex unions. While the coalition agrees on the need for same-sex civil partnerships, it remains divided over same-sex marriage, with Third Way leader Szymon Hołownia opposing any redefinition of marriage.
Anti-LGBTQI+ campaigner convicted
Mariusz Dzierżawski, the head of the Foundation Pro – Right to Life, was convicted of defamation. The organisation’s “Stop Paedophilia” campaign claimed that the “LGBT lobby” was promoting sex education in schools in order to sexualise children, using vans, posters and other materials featuring crossed-out rainbow flags alongside various slogans claiming links between the LGBTQI+ community and child sexual abuse.
The court ruled that the slogans amounted to “hate speech” and affirmed that defamation laws apply to groups with specific characteristics, not just individuals. Dzierżawski was sentenced to 20 hours of community service per month for a year, ordered to apologise to the individual plaintiffs and the Tolerado association, and ordered to pay 15,000 zloty (approximately 3,300 euros) to charity, as well as court costs.