Poland's "Solidarity" trade union held a rally in front of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) seat in Luxembourg on Friday. The demonstration was organised to protest against the CJEU rulings passed with regards to a lignite mine in Turów. For many months now, the mine and power plant have been a bone of contention between Polabd Czech Republic, with the latter demanding immediate closure of the facility due to environmental reasons.
The protest was peaceful and no incidents were reported. According to the organisers, more than 2,000 people took part. The unionists protested in front of the Court of Justice of the European Union seat, and then marched in front of the Czech Embassy.
Dressed in yellow vests signed "Hands off Turów", the mining trade union members expressed their dissatisfaction with the CJEU's "absolutely ruthless decision" to close down the mine, which in their view might axe hundreds of thousands of jobs and a paralysis of the region.
"We will never let ourselves to be treated as political hostages. We've been forced to defend our rights and jobs with all available means. Hence, this protest," the protesters underscored in leaflets.
The chief of NSZZ "Solidarność", Piotr Duda, told Polish Press Agency (PAP) that despite promises, the CJEU officials would not accept a petition with demands from the union.
"It looks like in border area with Belarus," Duda said, commenting on fences and obstacles set up around Kirchberg district, home of many EU institutions.
Support from far-right
Friday's demonstration in Luxembourg was also attended by members of groups linked with Poland's far-right Independence March asssociation.
"We are defending Poland's sovereignty here. Energy and economic sovereignty. As Poles, we cannot consent to unlawful decisions by - God have mercy - Court of Justice of the European Union," said the chief of the association Robert Bąkiewicz.
"We want to protest here on behalf of all Poles. Because the national interest is the interest of all Poles, regardless of political divisions, even if they are very deep," he added.
Bąkiewicz also said that if he had a chance to speak with CJEU Vice-President responsible for the decision to close down the Turów mine, Rosario Silva de Lapuerta, he would tell her that Poland did not want "such EU".
"We are currently witnessing a situation in which German politicians, using hands of bureaucrats in Brussels and Luxembourg, pursue their political goals in a brutal and ruthless manner," said the chief of the Independence March asssociation, adding that Poland would always be a part of Europe.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: PAP/Mateusz Marek