Tens of thousands of Polish farmers marched in Warsaw to protest the EU's Green Deal, which they claim interferes with their work and imposes high costs. The protest coincided with pre-European Parliament election campaigning and was supported by the right-wing opposition party Law and Justice.
Tens of thousands of Polish farmers descended upon the streets of Warsaw to voice their discontent with the European Union's climate policies, particularly the Green Deal initiative. The protest, organized by the farmers' trade union Solidarity, highlighted their concerns over the perceived interference and financial burdens imposed by the Green Deal.
"We don't want to become slaves on our own land," exclaimed Grazyna Gasowska, a dairy farmer from eastern Poland. Her remarks reflect the sentiment that farmers feel constrained by the regulations and requirements outlined in the Green Deal.
The noisy march culminated at the EU Warsaw office and parliament, where protesters displayed banners with slogans such as "Let Brussels eat worms, we prefer pork chops and potatoes," expressing their opposition to promoting insect consumption over traditional livestock products.
The protest coincides with pre-European Parliament election campaigning, and the support from the right-wing opposition party Law and Justice has added a political dimension to the farmers' grievances. Law and Justice, which previously held power from 2015 to 2022, is eager to regain political momentum.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk's pro-European Union government, in an attempt to address the farmers' concerns, announced a Cabinet reshuffle to replace four ministers running for the European Parliament next month. Tusk emphasized the need to "bring order" and hinted at future changes based on the "interest of the state."
Tusk's government has made significant strides in reversing the policies implemented by Law and Justice, which had strained Poland's relationship with the EU. Efforts to free the judiciary and state media from political control have characterized Tusk's administration.
The dismissal of Culture Minister Bartlomiej Sienkiewicz and Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski highlights the government's attempts to address ongoing mismanagement and loss of funds within state-owned companies.
Tomasz Siemoniak, a former defense minister, has been appointed as the new interior minister, retaining his role as coordinator of special services during the ongoing conflict in neighboring Ukraine.
Hanna Wroblewska, an art historian, has taken over as culture minister, while Jakub Jaworowski, an economist, will manage state assets. Krzysztof Paszyk, an experienced politician, has been named the new minister of development and technology.
The farmers' protest serves as a reminder of the challenges facing governments in balancing climate action with economic and social concerns. The Polish government's response to the unrest and the outcome of the upcoming European Parliament elections will shape the trajectory of climate policy in the country.
