There was much discontent for Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at Saturday’s Equality Parade in Warsaw as the LGBT community showcased its frustrations with the current administration.
Amid the flurry of placards and chants, one rainbow-colored banner captured significant attention online. It read: “Donald the Great, your government will be toppled by the gays,” signaling considerable hostility for the left-liberal coalition government among LGBT people.
The banner referenced another popular slogan during the first administration of the Civic Platform (PO) in Poland between 2008 and 2015. At that time, in football stadiums, fan groups chanted rhymes in Polish: “Donald, matole, twój rząd obalą kibole” (Donald, you fool, your government will be toppled by the hooligans).
The current slogan: “Donald the Great, your government will be toppled by the gays” (Donaldzie wspaniały, twój rząd obalą pedały), also rhymes in Polish.
Recently, LGBT activist Bart Staszewski has been vocal about “the unmet expectations from Tusk’s government.” Staszewski, known for his provocative campaign falsely indicating the existence of “LGBT-free zones” in Poland, had hoped for legislative advancements under Tusk, including the legalization of same-sex marriages and abortion rights.
However, six months into Tusk’s coalition government, Staszewski’s hope is dwindling. He remarks on the poor performance of the Left in the recent European Parliament elections, attributing it to a lack of voter turnout from their base, and is disillusioned by unfulfilled promises on hate speech laws, partnership rights, and abortion legislation.
Furthermore, Staszewski criticizes Krzysztof Śmiszek, a homosexual deputy justice minister and partner of Left politician Robert Biedroń, for not supporting the LGBT community in Poland while pursuing a career in Brussels.
This observation has led to broader criticisms within the left, with voters mockingly referring to it as a case of “keeping it in the family at the European Parliament,” highlighting a severe political malaise and a disconnect between the leaders and their constituents.
