Poland—Changing Patterns of Protest Mobilisation in a Polarised Society

This chapter provides an overview of the socio-political transformations in Poland from the fall of communism in 1989 to the present, with a special focus on key protest movements and their impact. It begins with the pivotal role of the Solidarity movement in the collapse of the communist regime and its emergence as a political actor, setting the stage for Poland’s early systemic transformation. While the economic reforms and hardships of the early 1990s sparked widespread protest mobilisations, primarily led by trade unions, economic stabilisation brought a change in protest patterns, with a shift towards identity politics and right-wing mobilisations from the late 1990s onwards. Increasing polarisation between two political parties—PO and PiS—has reinforced this trend. Focusing on protests over the past 15 years, key case studies include the Independence March, which became a major far-right mobilisation event; the Smoleńsk commemorations, which highlighted deep societal divisions and were co-opted by PiS; and the All-Poland Women’s Strike, a significant grassroots movement challenging restrictive abortion laws. Analysed through the lens of political opportunity structures, these case studies illustrate how varying degrees of political openness, elite alignments, and state repression have shaped protest dynamics in Poland and how these movements have impacted the political landscape.