Law and Justice leader and deputy PM Jarosław Kaczyński took part in commemorations of the 103rd anniversary of Poland regaining its independence in Warsaw.
“We had great leaders and a generation of people who were hardened by the fight for Poland and who truly desired its existence and were able to receive support. Thanks to them, Poland as a large European state was created,” he said.
Kaczyński pointed out that the period during which Poland was regaining its independence 103 years ago was not an easy time — it was a time of complicated battles and many questions.
He noted that during previous anniversaries, such as the centennial of Polish independence, he mostly spoke about Polish history, as those times were usually peaceful, despite some issues.
“Today, merely three years later, we are facing huge challenges one can observe every day in Polish television or online. This concerns, as many of you well know, what is currently happening in some regions on Poland’s eastern border, and the not-so-easily discernible challenges coming to us from the West,” he said.
The deputy PM explained that there was a common denominator for what was currently happening to Poland.
“Although there are different intentions and various environments that lead to these conflicts, there are many on both sides of Europe who refuse to accept Polish sovereignty. They do not want to accept the possibility of our development, the growth of our strength, of our determination to be not only an independent and free nation, but also a strong nation that matters. Only such a Poland can survive,” he declared.
Kaczyński emphasized that both action and thought are necessary to achieve the greatest political successes.
“We must win while not only maintaining our freedom, but also keeping our perspective for building a strong Poland. This is our responsibility and it is possible,” he stated.
