New PM Tusk read out a manifesto by PiS critic who died by self-immolation

Piotr Szczęsny died on Oct. 29, 2017 after distributing his manifesto to people in front of Warsaw's Palace of Science and Culture and then setting himself on fire two years after nationalist conservatives Law and Justice (PiS) took office.

The manifesto was a protest against PiS policies, with Szczęsny saying the party was damaging the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, deepening divisions in society and discriminating against minorities.

"I will now read something that in a sense could replace my speech today. I wouldn't change much in this text, which may have already escaped our attention and memory. I really want us to remember this man and the words he wrote before he passed away. It was a manifesto, I will read it in its entirety. I am convinced that the majority of you here in parliament, just like the majority of Poles, could probably sign onto it," Tusk said before reading out the manifesto.

PiS cast itself as a defender of Poland's sovereignty and identity that also improved living standards for millions by boosting social benefits and the minimum wage.

Critics, however, say PiS undermined judicial independence, turned state-owned media into a propaganda outlet and fomented prejudice against minorities such as immigrants and the LGBT community.

After reading Szczęsny's manifesto, Tusk appealed for unity on issues such as the rule of law, the Polish constitution and the safety of Polish territory.

"Everyone is deserving of respect. Everyone is deserving of their rights. What really builds a community is the rule of law, the constitution, and the principles of democracy, the safe border and safe territory. These are the issues that we should not argue or fight about under any circumstances. These are something that we must respect without exception, in order to be able to differ on other matters, to be able to differ safely, with respect," Tusk concluded.