"Nothing will stay the same in Polish politics in coming months". Donald Tusk sums up Sunday's march

At a press briefing on Monday morning, Donald Tusk summed up Sunday's march and thanked city services for their help in organizing the event. "I'd like to thank all those who were there yesterday. Some travelled hundreds of kilometers. I'd like to thank those who had more work because of that, including the police. Everything was on a top-notch, European level. I wanted to show that hundreds of thousands of us can be angry at what is happening, but at the same time be really peaceful," he said.

The Civic Platform chairman added that "after yesterday nothing will stay the same in Polish politics in coming months". "I have no doubts. Everyone saw there is a big chance to change the situation in Poland. I have a feeling that PiS understood yesterday that impunity and lach of responsibility are out the question, and that they cannot do evil to so many people and go unpunished," Tusk said.

He also said "across whole Poland, those who demand change have been filled with genuine hope". "What's crucial is the sense of solidarity and community among the voters. I hope that everyone who saw that yesterday have received a certain message. Many of those who took part in yesterday's march would say firmly and openly they wanted solidarity and unity within the opposition. I hope no one ignores this lesson again," he stressed.

Hundreds of thousands of opposition supporters joined the march in Warsaw on the 34th anniversary of Poland's first democratic elections in 1989, while thousands more marched in other cities and towns.

The march stretched for at least one mile and people held banners reading "Free, European Poland", "European Union yes, PiS no", referring to the governing Law and Justice (PiS) party.

The opposition accuses the government headed by PiS of eroding the rule of law, turning state media into a government mouthpiece and endorsing homophobia.

The government, headed by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, denies subverting democratic norms and says its aim is to protect traditional Christian values against liberal pressures from the West and to make the economy more fair.

Opinion polls show an election due after the summer will be closely fought, with Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine giving a boost to PiS which has emerged as a leading voice against the Kremlin in Europe.