Kaczyński warns Polish independence could again become an 'incident' and accuses the government

Speech before the Piłsudski monument

On Tuesday evening, 10 November 2026, Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of Law and Justice (PiS), spoke at a ceremony in Warsaw before the monument to Marshal Józef Piłsudski, on the eve of Poland's National Independence Day. He recalled that independence regained in 1918 lasted just over 20 years, which he said was from a historical point of view 'only an incident'. He argued that the current independence of the Third Republic, counted from 1989 and fully from 1991, has lasted longer and brought Poland many successes, including economic growth. In his view, however, the present time is special, and the question now is whether this independence will again turn out to be an incident.

“We have a government that does not want to serve Poland, one that serves external dispensers.”

Accusations against the government

Kaczyński said the government is driving the rule of law, the state and various spheres of social life into ruin. He added that the authorities are building the grounds to ruin the Polish economy. According to him, opponents want Central Europe to become once again a terrain of exploitation, supplying resources to crisis-hit Western economies on unequal terms, with Germany's economy singled out. The criticism is aimed at the government of Donald Tusk. He also said that in recent decades Poland had reached the level of developed countries in the purchasing power of its currency, and that this achievement could easily be lost.

Calls for resistance and the 2027 election

Kaczyński called for resistance that 'should be stronger' and described Wednesday's Independence Day celebrations, on 11 November, as a great opportunity to show that an attempt at intimidation had failed. He expressed hope that 'Polish patriots' would win the 2027 elections, but said the first task is to get to those elections and to keep a close watch on the governing side. He accused the government of having no scruples or principles, and said some of its members want to pursue foreign interests. He warned that the struggle may be very difficult.

“That other side is truly capable of anything, but we must endure and we must win.”

Ukraine as an example

Kaczyński pointed to Ukraine as an example of national attitude, saying it has been defending itself against Russia for longer than the so-called Great Patriotic War lasted, for over four years. He acknowledged that many people, perhaps all, have legitimate reservations and grievances towards Ukrainians, but asked that they also be viewed from that side. Ukrainians, he said, are able to fight and are not cowardly, though he added that some cowards did flee and are now often in Poland, where they cause various problems.

“They can fight, they are not cowards.”