In a statement, the Democratic Coalition party called it “shameful” that the Polish government “orders riot police against the democratic opposition on the anniversary of the communist government’s announcing a state of emergency and imprisoning thousands in 1981”.

The Együtt party condemned the Polish government’s “illiberal media policy similar to that of Viktor Orbán”. The Liberal Party welcomed the demonstrations and called it “exemplary” that “thousands of democratic Poles” stage protests in front of the Polish Sejm.

The Liberals have also condemned the Polish police’s “brutal” action against the protesters.

The Dialogue Party said in a statement sent to MTI that in Poland “democracy is mutilated in the Orbanian manner” and hailed the “brave stance” of the opposition. “Freedom of the press is the number one instrument to hold the government to account” they said and warned that “autarchic systems in the making will attempt to restrict and silence the media everywhere”.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.