On December 13, Karol Nawrocki delivered a speech in Warsaw to mark the 44th anniversary of Poland’s 1981 martial law and broke down while criticizing post‑communists’ limited support.
Nawrocki’s Speech Commemorates 44th Martial Law Anniversary
Karol Nawrocki presented a symbolic censer at Marshal Józef Piłsudski Square in Warsaw, recalling victims of the 1981 martial law. He repeated that “Poland will never forget the victims, nor the perpetrators of martial law” and that “Polish blood watered the light of freedom so we can live in a free, independent Republic of Poland.”
Criticism of Post-Communist Officials
Nawrocki spoke of the government of Donald Tusk, inaugurated on December 13, 2023, noting that post‑communists now hold key state positions despite marginal public support. He said that “security officers who stifled the light of freedom are again granted pension privileges,” and warned that “heroes of freedom often live worse than those who sought to enslave us.”
Political Context: Włodzimierz Czarzasty and the Sejm
In his address, Nawrocki likely referenced Włodzimierz Czarzasty, recently elected Marshal of the Sejm, remarking that Czarzasty had not hidden his support for the communist authorities responsible for martial law. Czarzasty appointed former MP and MEP Marek Siwka to lead the Sejm Chancellery; during the communist era both men were members of the Polish United Workers’ Party.
Background on Poland’s 1981 Martial Law
On the night of 12‑13 December 1981, the communist government imposed martial law, with the Military Council of National Salvation led by General Wojciech Jaruzelski taking control. Approximately 70,000 soldiers, 30,000 militia, and thousands of SB officers patrolled cities, censorship was introduced, and at least several dozen people died. Over 3,000 activists from Solidarity and other independent groups were imprisoned, according to the government website.