On Saturday, 11 October, a rally against illegal immigration and the Mercosur trade deal is under way in Warsaw. The event, organised by Law and Justice (PiS), has drawn supporters who oppose the current migration policy.
Rally against illegal immigration in the heart of Warsaw
The rally began at 14:00 at Castle Square. The organisers, including Law and Justice (PiS) politicians, stressed the need to protect the borders and opposed the relocation of migrants across the EU. In his speech, PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński called for a firm stance against accepting illegal migrants and criticised Donald Tusk’s government for allegedly manipulating the issue. Mariusz Błaszczak and other politicians emphasised the need to “seal” Poland’s borders and reject the Mercosur agreement, which they see as a threat to Polish agriculture and sovereignty.
PiS Deputy Leader
@MorawieckiM: We cannot let them carry out this policy that Tusk is pursuing with Germany. What we are dealing with is not only illegal immigration, but already the export of immigrants. We cannot allow this. We must thank those who created the Border Defence Movement, Polish Border Guard (SG) officers and Polish soldiers. It is thanks to them that there is no flood of illegal immigration today. We promised that we would block the Mercosur agreement, and we kept our word. Today this agreement is coming into force. This means poverty for Polish farmers. They are doing nothing to block it. We need a change of government. Tusk must be sent packing. Let us defend Polish farmers. We do not consent to the destruction of Polish agriculture! The current government is destroying Poland’s development prospects. They promised it would be cheaper, and it is more expensive. Tusk said it would be safer, yet there are more and more crimes on the streets. They promised it would be more stable, yet the hole in the Polish budget is growing. They promised development, and they are scrapping development programmes. We must fight for Poland with pride. We cannot let these development opportunities be taken from us. #wObroniePolski#MigranciTuska
Reasons for the protest and key demands
- Protecting Poland’s borders against illegal immigration
- Opposition to the relocation of migrants imposed by the EU
- Refusal to sign the Mercosur agreement, which has a negative impact on Polish agriculture
- Criticism of the current government for failing to take decisive action on migration
Traffic disruptions in central Warsaw
The rally caused traffic and public transport disruptions around the Old Town area. The police advise drivers and passengers to use alternative routes. With Miodowa Street closed, buses on lines 116, 178, 180 and 503 are running on different routes, while trams on lines 4, 13, 20, 23 and 26 are bypassing the square via Gdański Bridge. Drivers should expect disruptions until 17:00.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on the platform X that there will be no relocation of migrants to Poland and argued that the government’s actions to protect the borders are effective. However, critics, particularly from PiS, argue that the current state leadership is not doing enough to counter the migration pressure imposed by the European Union. The rally was therefore not only a social protest but also part of a broader political debate over border sovereignty and Poland’s migration policy.
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