EU flag burned as thousands join nationalist march in Poland

GETTY•EPAProtestors burned an EU flag as thousands took to the streets in Warsaw

In a show of defiance against EU lawmakers, an estimated 25,000 people joined a march to commemorate the anniversary of Poland's return to independence after the First World War.

Poland only joined the EU in 2004, however, many in Warsaw used the event to express rising anger with Brussels amid Europe's ongoing migrant crisis.

The nationalist display is believed to have been attended by far-right neo-Nazi groups.

A eurosceptic party recently claimed victory in the eastern European country's elections, with Poland's pro-EU prime minister also set to be replaced.
Protestors were photographed trampling and burning an EU flag while one group reportedly chanted: "Yesterday it was Moscow, today it's Brussels which takes away our freedom".

A banner held by demonstrators also featured the slogan "EU macht frei" a reference to the infamous 'work makes you free' gates at the Auschwitz death camp built by the Nazi’s as part of the Final Solution, which translates from German as 'EU makes you free'.

Despite clashes at previous marches in recent years and the deployment of several thousand riot police, the protest went off peacefully.

GETTYAn estimated 25,000 people took part in the march





Firecrackers, smoke bombs and thousands of Polish national flags were seen at the nationalist march, which gathered outside the country's national football stadium at one point.

One demonstrator, 27-year-old Piotr, told AFP: "I came here because I love Poland and want to show it.

"I came here for my grandfather, who fought in the Warsaw Uprising, and for his father, who fought for independence".

After eight years of rule by Poland's centrist Civic Platform party, the eurosceptic Law and Justice Party (PiS) won a small absolute majority in Warsaw last month.

The result is also set to see the country's pro-Brussels prime minister Ewa Kopacz replaced by PiS candidate Beata Szydlo.

The PiS party's opposition to an EU plan to relocate refugees fleeing war and persecution in the Middle East and Africa among member states is likely to set it on a collision course with Brussels.

Credit to Express.co.uk