Poland’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that Poland would continue to respect European Union law despite a recent ruling that parts of EU law were incompatible with the Polish constitution.

Last week’s ruling by the Polish Constitutional Tribunal plunged the European Union into an existential crisis, stoking fear and concern that Poland could potentially leave the bloc.

In a joint statement issued over the weekend, the governments of France and Germany called on Poland to fulfill its legal and moral obligations to abide by the bloc’s rules „completely and unconditionally.”

The Polish Foreign Ministry responded in an official statement on Saturday, confirming that „all obligations arising from both primary and secondary European Union law remain in force and thus, will continue to be fully respected by Poland.”

Source: Radio Poland, Reuters

Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered across Poland on Sunday in a show of support for Poland’s continued membership in the European Union.

According to organizers and various news media outlets, protests took place in over 100 towns and cities across Poland and several cities abroad. In Warsaw, an estimated 80,000 – 100,000 protesters gathered near Plac Zamkowy, waving Polish and EU flags and chanting „We are staying.”

Speakers at the Warsaw demonstration included politicians from various opposition parties, along with popular artists, celebrities, and activists, including WOŚP organizer Jerzy Owsiak, musician Zbigniew Hołdys, and actress Maja Ostaszewska.  

Wanda Traczyk-Stawska, a 94-year-old veteran of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising, became somewhat of an internet celebrity herself after issuing a harsh rebuke to one of the nationalist counter-demonstrators trying to drown out her speech. „This is our Europe,” she went on to declare, „and no one is going to lead us out of it.”

Source: Radio Poland, Reuters

Several thousand pro-EU demonstrators gathered yesterday at Neptune Fountain in Gdańsk, Kościuszko Square in Gdynia, and the Sopot Molo.

The protest in Gdańsk featured numerous local elected officials, including Gdańsk Mayor Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, MEP Magdalena Adamowicz, and former President Lech Wałęsa.

Speaking to the crowd gathered on Dlugi Targ in Gdańsk, Bogdan Borusewicz, the current Marshal of the Polish Senate, called on the demonstrators to „not allow our place in Europe to be destroyed or the rule of law to be trampled on.” He went on to suggest that the protestors should be prepared to „gather again as many times as necessary. Let no one think that we will get tired, that we will fall into apathy.”

The demonstration in Gdańsk also included a collective rendition of Beethoven’s „Ode to Joy,” otherwise known as the Anthem of Europe.

Source: Reuters, trojmiasto.pl

Polish tennis star Iga Świątek has advanced to the fourth round of Indian Wells after beating Russia’s Veronica Kudermetova 6-1, 6-0 yesterday.

The 20-year-old Pole, currently seeded No.2 at the BNP Paribas Open tournament in California, will now face either No.24 seed Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia or Yulia Putintseva of Kazahkstan.
 
Sunday marked the first anniversary of Świątek’s historic Roland Garros triumph last year, in which she became the first Pole and the second-youngest woman ever to win the French Open.

Source: Radio Poland, wtatennnis.com

Organizers of the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw announced yesterday that an additional pool of tickets for Stage III would be on sale starting the 12th of October.

Tickets can be purchased via the website at competition website at bilety.nifc.pl or at the ticket offices of the Fryderyk Chopin Museum. Stage II of the competition will wrap up tomorrow, with qualifying competitors for Stage III to be announced late Tuesday evening.

Source: chopin2020.pl

Weather

Today will be partly cloudy, with a slight chance of rain later in the evening and a light breeze coming in from the southwest. Temperatures will peak around a high of 13°C, or 56°F, dropping to an overnight low of 7°C or 44°F. Clouds are expected to gather later in the evening, with a good chance for rain overnight and again Tuesday afternoon.

Elizabeth Peck/MarWer