Introduction
Closure of Rule of Law Proceedings Against Poland
In a significant shift following more than six years of scrutiny over the country’s judicial independence and adherence to EU values, on 30th May 2024, the European Commission closed the rule of law proceedings, also known as Article 7 proceedings, against Poland. Initially triggered in 2017, Article 7 is a mechanism that can lead to the suspension of a member state's voting rights within the EU if there is a clear risk of a serious breach of the Union’s fundamental values.
The decision to close the proceedings, announced on 6th May 2024, by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, was based on Poland's reversal of previous judicial reforms which had been introduced by the right-wing Law and Justice Party (PiS), leading to a perceived erosion of judicial independence and a challenge to the primacy of EU law.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who assumed office last year, spearheaded efforts to repair relations with the EU. His administration presented an “action plan” in February, comprising nine draft laws intended to restore judicial independence and align Polish law with European Court of Justice rulings. Hungary rejected the Commission’s proposal to end the proceedings against Poland, arguing that the new Polish government has yet to meet the EU-imposed “milestones” for restoring rule-of-law standards. Hungary claimed that the closure shows that the Article 7 process was used merely as a “tool of political blackmail” in the EU.
EU Elections
On 9th June 2024, 40.7% of eligible Polish voters cast their ballots in the European parliamentary elections. Poland is represented by 53 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) out of a total of 720. In the elections, Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Civic Platform (KO) secured 37% of the vote, thereby taking the lead and winning 21 seats. The former governing party, the right-wing nationalist PiS came in second and won 20 seats, despite pre-election polls predicting a stronger performance. Tusk hailed the result as a sign of hope for Europe, positioning Poland as a key player in the EU’s future. At the same time, however, the far-right Confederation Liberty and Independence (Konfederacja Wolność i Niepodległość, Konfederacja), garnered 13% of the vote. Tusk's coalition partners, the centrist Third Way (Trzecia Droga, TD) and the Left (Lewica), received only 7% and 6%, respectively, underperforming expectations.
Polish-Belarusian Border
On 27th May 2024, Poland announced that it would fortify its Eastern border in response to security concerns and perceived threats from Russia and Belarus. The Polish government, like its neighbouring counterparts, accuses Minsk and Moscow of using migrants to destabilise the EU. In mid-June, the government established a 60 km exclusion zone along the border, prohibiting entry for both media and humanitarian workers.
A recent report by four NGOs — Ocalenie Foundation (Poland), Human Constanta (Belarus), I Want to Help Refugees (Latvia), and Sienos Grupė (Lithuania) — revealed that 130 migrants have died at the EU-Belarus border since the migration crisis initiated by the Lukashenko regime began in 2021. The primary cause of death was hypothermia, exacerbated by repeated pushbacks and prolonged exposure to harsh conditions in the forests. The report, titled No Safe Passage, represents the first comprehensive effort to document these fatalities.
Poland Dismantles 41st Soviet Monument Amid “Decommunization” Efforts
On 22nd July 2024, Poland removed the “Brothers in Arms” monument in Nowogard. “Brothers in Arms” is the 41st Soviet-era monument dismantled since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The monument, depicting Soviet and Polish soldiers, was demolished on the anniversary of the 1944 establishment of the Soviet-backed Polish Committee of National Liberation, celebrated as “National Day of Poland's Rebirth” during the communist era.
The head of the Institute of National Remembrance, Karol Nawrocki, stated that these monuments were “ahistorical” and misrepresented Polish history. Local officials and residents supported the removal, which is part of broader “decommunization” efforts, symbolising Poland's rejection of its communist past. Russia has criticised this practice, claiming that it not only dishonours the memory of Soviet soldiers, but also violates a bilateral agreement between the two countries. Poland, on the other hand, claims that the agreement with Russia only concerns graves and cemeteries, not monuments.
Freedom of assembly
Climate Activists Disrupt Traffic in Warsaw
Throughout July 2024, the climate activist group Ostatnie Pokolenie (Last Generation) has been blocking major roads in Warsaw to call for a shift in state investment from motorways to public transport and the introduction of a regional ticket which would give people throughout Poland access to all public transport in their region for 50 zloty (12 euros). On 15th July 2024, activists disrupted Jana Pawła II Street, a major thoroughfare, causing significant traffic delays. Police responded by forcibly removing the protesters after about an hour. They detained activists, took their details for fines, and worked to prevent them from returning to the blocked roads. Public reactions have been mixed, with some expressing support for the activists’ cause, while others expressed frustration, including drivers who attempted to remove the protesters themselves.
Protest Over Failed Abortion Rights Reform
On 23rd July 2024, about 1,000 protesters gathered outside the Polish parliament, demonstrating against the failure of a key vote on the abortion reform promised by the current government. The protest was co-organized by Marta Lempart of the Women’s Strike, a prominent group known for its role in previous demonstrations against restrictions on abortion rights in Poland. The parliamentary vote, which aimed to end the criminal prosecution of people who assist in abortions, failed by a narrow majority of 218 votes to 215. This represents a major setback for Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose promise to address Poland’s strict abortion laws was a central part of his campaign.
Pre-election rally
On 4th June 2024, thousands gathered in Warsaw for Prime Minister Donald Tusk's pre-election rally, organised by the Civic Coalition Party. The rally commemorated Poland's first partially free election in 1989, when the country was still one of the Soviet Union's satellite states. At the rally, Tusk emphasised the importance of the upcoming European elections amidst Europe's future challenges and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Polish Farmers' Protests Challenge EU Green Deal and Ukrainian Imports
Throughout the reporting period, Polish farmers mobilised in significant protests across the country, voicing discontent over EU regulations and the influx of grain imports from Ukraine.
On 25th April 2024 the Polish government announced a series of measures aimed at supporting farmers affected by Ukrainian grain imports. These included subsidies and efforts to stabilise the market by exporting surplus grain held in domestic warehouses. On 29th April 2024, protests near the Ukraine border, which began on 9th February 2024, concluded after weeks of blockades at various crossings. However, this was not a sign of the farmers’ satisfaction with the proposed measures.
On 10th May 2024, members of the Polish Farmers’ Union, Orka, staged a sit-in at the Polish parliament to protest against the EU's Green Deal and the liberalised imports of Ukrainian grain. On 10th May 2024, tens of thousands of farmers gathered in Warsaw, disrupting traffic and calling for the repeal of the Green Deal. Organised by the Solidarity trade union, the protest underscored widespread discontent within the agricultural sector regarding environmental regulations imposed by Brussels.
Pro-Palestinian Occupation at Warsaw University Ends in Police Eviction
On 12th June 2024, police forcibly removed Pro-Palestinian protestors at the University of Warsaw (UW) after they had occupied the campus for 20 days.
On 24th May 2024, students at UW initiated an occupation of Autonomy Park on campus, demanding that the university officially condemn Israeli actions in Gaza and sever ties with Israeli institutions linked to the conflict. After initial negotiations with UW officials failed to produce any tangible results, tensions escalated. The protesters accused the rector of the university of not wanting to take a firm stance due to economic considerations and the reputation of the institution.
On 12th June 2024, protesters moved their tents to the main university building and attempted to block a small road cars use to enter the site. The rector, deeming the situation unacceptable, called in the police to disperse the demonstrators. Police forcefully removed students, including those engaged in passive resistance, from the campus. Several students faced potential criminal charges for disturbing public order during the eviction. Despite the eviction, hundreds of students and university staff gathered in front of UW's main entrance on 13th June 2024 to protest the removal of the students who had staged the occupation and to show solidarity with their demands.
Palestinian flag now hangs on Warsaw Uni main building as students chant 'Wasaw remembers genocide' pic.twitter.com/pSDTaJoGlb
— Claudia Ciobanu (@Claudia_Warsaw) June 12, 2024
Government Ministers Join Warsaw LGBTQI+ Parade for the First Time
On 15th June 2024, Polish government ministers attended the LGBTQI+ Equality Parade in Warsaw for the first time, alongside around 20,000 participants. Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski and Equality Minister Katarzyna Kotula, both from The Left (Lewica) party, marked the occasion by supporting the march and advocating for LGBTQI+ rights. Kotula announced a proposed law for same-sex civil partnerships but noted that discussions were ongoing within the coalition, particularly with the more conservative Polish People’s Party (PSL).
The event underscored the parade's theme, “The time for equality is now,” highlighting the ongoing struggle for LGBTQI+ equality in Poland.
Conservative Marches Across Poland Oppose Government's Liberal Policies
On 16th June 2024, thousands marched in 16 Polish cities, including Warsaw, to protest the government's plans to liberalise abortion laws, introduce same-sex civil partnerships, and expand hate-speech regulations.
The “March of Life and Family,” under the patronage of the Polish Episcopal Conference, drew participation from right-wing leaders like Antoni Macierewicz of the Law and Justice (PiS) party and Krzysztof Bosak of the Confederation party. Organisers, including the Centre for Life and Family and Ordo Iuris, criticised the government's proposals as threats to traditional family values and national sovereignty. They opposed what they termed “abortion on demand,” changes to marriage laws, and hate speech legislation, arguing that these measures would suppress conservative and Catholic viewpoints. The marches came a day after government ministers attended the LGBTQI+ Equality Parade, signalling growing polarisation over social policies in Poland.
Freedom of expression
Media Freedom in EU Poland: Liberties Report Highlights Critical Concerns
According to the 2024 Media Freedom Report by Berlin-based watchdog Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties), media freedom in Poland remained contentious throughout 2023. The previous parliamentary majority was reluctant to enhance media freedom, with public media often accused of bias aligned with party propaganda. The National Broadcasting Council (NBC) faced criticism for politically biassed actions against certain media outlets, including fines and delays in renewing concessions. Concerns also extended to media ownership transparency, with limited legislative progress in ensuring public access to ownership information. The acquisition of Polska Press by state-owned oil and gas company PKN Orlen raised alarms about editorial independence and fair reporting practices. The safety of journalists also emerged as a critical issue, with instances of harassment and legal actions against reporters covering sensitive topics, such as the humanitarian crisis on the Polish-Belarusian border.
Surveillance, Spyware, and Russian Influence: Poland's Struggle for Privacy and Security
During the reporting period, a number of controversies arose in Poland over the use of spyware and accusations of foreign influence, particularly by Russia.
As previously reported by the CIVICUS Monitor, 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. On 25th April 2024, former Justice Minister Adam Bodnar disclosed that the Pegasus spyware had been employed by Polish government agencies from 2017 to 2022, targeting 578 individuals, including political opponents, journalists, and human rights activists. This widespread surveillance, conducted by the Central Anticorruption Bureau, Military Counterintelligence Service, and Internal Security Agency, sparked outrage, with Bodnar lamenting the erosion of democratic safeguards.
Amidst these revelations, broader concerns over foreign influence emerged. A survey conducted across the Visegrád Group (V4) countries, including Poland, in March-April 2024, indicated heightened public apprehension (55%) about foreign meddling in European elections, with Russia cited as a primary actor. This sentiment was exacerbated by increased cyberattacks, with Poland experiencing a 130% surge in such incidents since early 2024, largely attributed to Russian hackers targeting critical infrastructure and institutions.
In response, on 21st May 2024 Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced stringent measures, including the establishment of a commission to probe Russian and Belarusian influence from 2004 to 2024. This initiative aims to bolster national security amidst escalating tensions and safeguard democratic processes ahead of the European Parliament elections.
Simultaneously, Tusk accused former Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz of surrounding himself with individuals who allegedly promoted a pro-Russian agenda during his tenure from 2015 to 2018. Tusk claimed that this influence compromised Polish military intelligence and national security, adding urgency to ongoing investigations into Russian infiltration.
The situation escalated on 31st May 2024, when the Polish Press Agency (PAP) fell victim to a cyberattack suspected to originate from Russia, disseminating false information about a military mobilisation. This incident underscored Poland’s vulnerability to cyber threats ahead of the European Parliament elections. On 3rd June 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski announced heightened cybersecurity measures, including a significant investment in cyber defence. He attributed the PAP attack to Russian hackers, stressing the importance of ongoing efforts to safeguard critical infrastructure from similar threats.
Polish Media Outlets Protest Copyright Law Favouring Big Tech
On 4th July 2024, over 350 Polish media outlets staged a protest against proposed changes to copyright law, claiming it unfairly benefits tech giants like Google and Facebook. The protest, marked by blacked-out front pages with the message “Politicians, don't kill Polish media,” reflected fears that the new law could allow these companies to use media content without adequate compensation, jeopardising smaller media outlets.
The law, which is currently under review in the Senate, the upper house of the Polish parliament, implements the EU Directive on the Digital Single Market, which stipulates fair remuneration for media content used by technology platforms. However, media companies are pushing for an amendment to involve the state in settling disputes over content usage fees, a proposal that had previously been rejected by the Sejm, the lower house of parliament.
Court Overturns Fine on Polish Radio Station for “Inciting Hatred”
In July 2024, a court overturned an 80,000 zloty (EUR 18,765) fine imposed on the radio station Tok FM by the former Law and Justice (PiS) government, which accused the station of “inciting hatred.” The controversy arose from a broadcast in which a presenter likened a new school textbook to Hitler Youth material, criticising its content for denouncing IVF and “gender ideology.” The court found the fine, issued by Maciej Świrski of the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT), was based on “imaginary allegations.” Tok FM hailed the decision as a victory for free speech, maintaining that their broadcast criticised hate speech rather than inciting it.
Politician Dismisses Young Reporter’s Question on Abortion Rights
On 12th July 2024, Jarosław Kaczyński, former Polish Prime Minister and leader of the Law and Justice (PiS) party, told 10-year-old reporter Sara Małecka-Trzaskoś that freedom of speech “is not for children” when she asked about abortion legislation. Małecka-Trzaskoś, a parliamentary correspondent with a popular TikTok channel, had attempted to question Kaczyński on why President Andrzej Duda refused to sign bills easing abortion restrictions.
LGBTQI+ Rights
Poland's LGBTQI+ Rights Record Criticised in Latest Rainbow Europe Index
Poland faces severe criticism for its LGBTQI+ rights record, ranking at the bottom among European Union countries in the 2023 Rainbow Europe Index by ILGA-Europe. The country was ranked 42nd out of 49 European nations and microstates.
Under the previous ultra-conservative government, Poland saw a rise in disinformation and hate speech targeting the LGBTQI+ community, which created deep societal divisions. Activists have voiced concerns that reversing these policies and fostering legislative change under the new liberal government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk will take substantial time given competing priorities on the governmental agenda.
Warsaw to Inaugurate Poland's First Queer Museum
In the autumn of 2024, Warsaw is set to open Poland's first queer museum, the QueerMuzeum, with backing from the city's municipal authorities. The prominently located museum aims to document and celebrate the history and culture of the LGBTQI+ community in Poland. It will feature a variety of exhibits, including archives from Lambda, Poland's oldest LGBTSI+ organisation, and notable artefacts like Tadeusz Olszewski's typewriter from the Warsaw Homosexual Movement. It will also include a plaque commemorating queer victims of World War II.