Poland's ruling party leader accused opposition politicians of having "blood on their hands" for supporting protests the government blames for helping spread COVID-19, as police kept demonstrators against an abortion ruling away from parliament.
Protesters had planned to blockade parliament as part of demonstrations against a top court ruling that amounted to a near-total ban on abortion. "All the demonstrations you supported have cost the lives of many people -- you have blood on your hands," Law and Justice (PiS) party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski told opposition lawmakers in the parliament.
PiS have blamed the protests for spreading COVID-19.
Police kept protesters away from the building and local media reported that scuffles broke out in the city centre. A left-wing lawmaker said deputy speaker Wlodzimierz Czarzasty, a member of their party, was pushed by police.
While centred on abortion, the protests have seen a broader outpouring of anger at Poland's nationalist rulers and their allies in the Catholic church, the latest manifestation of a battle between liberals and religious conservatives that this time touches on the government’s response to COVID-19.
Źródło: Reuters
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: TVN24