Poland's right-wing marches through Warsaw with an "Independence March".

Nationalist rally Hundreds of thousands at “Independence March” in Warsaw As of: November 11, 2026 • 8:26 p.m

A large demonstration by right-wing nationalists traditionally takes place on Polish Independence Day. The so-called independence march through Warsaw is controversial - and yet it attracts hundreds of thousands.

In Poland's capital Warsaw, thousands marched through the streets with white and red flags for the so-called independence march. Men, women, young and old, families with children. The Warsaw Security Center estimates that up to 250,000 people took part in the march - significantly more than last year.

"Today is a really beautiful day. We have to use the opportunity that we are here. We will just keep fighting for it, celebrating independence - that is the most important thing. May Poland remain free and loved forever," says Patryk Kobuszewski, one of the visitors to the march.

Many at the march spoke of love for their homeland, of pride in Poland. On the national holiday they commemorate November 11, 1918. On this day, the country regained its sovereignty - after 123 years of division. It is an important, emotional day for many.

This year's motto of the march is "Polak w Polsce gospodarzem". In German: "The Pole is the master in Poland." It is a projection surface for many people. Conservatives and those who love their homeland can connect with it. But also Eurosceptics, anti-immigrants and all the way to the right: nationalists are also running with Marsz Niepodleglosci. There had previously been riots and riots on the sidelines of the march. This year there was loud shouting, but there was no violence.

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Unlike his predecessors, President Karol Nawrocki also ran. He wants the conservative part of society to rally behind him. And the images of the president walking in the thick smoke of the Bengalos make an impression on some people. Before the march, at the official ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Nawrocki gave a speech, swearing Poland to strength and pride. Criticism of the bourgeois-liberal government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk could be heard between the lines. The president seemed rather unforgiving rather than uniting and building bridges on the national holiday.

"We have the right to express our political, social and ideological differences. That is a given, a feature of every democracy," said Nawrocki. In the simmering dispute over the Constitutional Court, he suggested looking for common ground - but according to his own ideas.

His opponent Tusk celebrated in Stettin. He inaugurated a ferry there. In his speech, he invited the presidential couple to his home to talk to each other. And he tried to reach out to the conservative part of society. Addressing the participants of the Independence March in Warsaw, Tusk said:

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This year the celebrations are overshadowed by the constitutional crisis and the attack in Krakow. Many mourn the victims, but try to take courage from the holiday. In addition to official ceremonies and the independence march in Warsaw, there were many other events: concerts, festivals and, for the health-conscious, even independence runs.

Particularly brave people jumped into the cold water dressed in national colors at three degrees - for example in Piotrków Trybunalski, a small town southwest of Warsaw. "Why do we take part in ice bathing? Because it releases endorphins, because we meet acquaintances and friends - and because we want to give today's holiday a special touch," says an ice bathing participant. This isn't for chilblains, but that's how some Poles celebrate their national holiday.

This topic in the program: The First | daily news | 11/11/2026 | 8:00 p.m