Warsaw. Rafał Trzaskowski and Lech Wałęsa met on the anniversary of the introduction of martial law

The president of the capital, Rafał Trzaskowski, together with the former president of Poland, Lech Wałęsa, commemorated the 43rd anniversary of the introduction of martial law by laying flowers in front of the plaque dedicated to the memory of Grzegorz Przemyk and the grave of priest Jerzy Popiełuszko. On the occasion of the meeting, Lech Wałęsa announced his official support for Rafał Trzaskowski as a candidate in the presidential elections in 2025.

A plaque commemorating Grzegorz Przemyk is located in the Old Town, on the building at 1/3 Jezuicka Street, where the citizens' militia station was located in the 1980s. On Friday afternoon, former President of Poland Lech Wałęsa and Mayor of Warsaw Rafał Trzaskowski visited this place together, commemorating the anniversary of the introduction of martial law.

– We are in a place where the issue of giving one's life for our freedom is commemorated. We have just visited the grave of Father Popiełuszko. And I remembered his funeral. Then I got an ultimatum. Either I deliver the text that is prepared or I will not be given the right to vote. I delivered this text, but I added two sentences: Solidarity is alive and will win because you gave your life for it. And so it happened, Wałęsa recalled.

– We should remember, respect and set an example of these crimes – Wałęsa emphasized. – But people came to power again who quarreled with us and took advantage of these situations and even these crimes. I hope that this time we will elect more decent people and return to those events, paying respect and honor to those who gave their lives for our freedom – appealed the former president.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, the mayor of the capital also laid a wreath on Friday morning in front of the historic headquarters of NSZZ “Solidarność” of the Mazovia Region at 16/20 Mokotowska Street. It was there that some of the first arrests during martial law took place.

– Today our thoughts are with all the victims of martial law and victims of communism. We remember and will remember all the time, because this is a history lesson that must stay with us forever and we must draw conclusions from it that many people gave their lives so that we could live in a democratic country today – emphasized Trzaskowski.

Rafał Trzaskowski and Lech Wałęsa at the grave of Father Popiełuszko

Wałęsa on support for Trzaskowski in the presidential elections

Lech Wałęsa was asked by journalists about official support for Rafał Trzaskowski as a candidate in the presidential elections in 2025. – Today, he is the best candidate. Anyone who is reasonable and wants to return to those respects and victories should elect Mr. (Trzaskowski – ed.) as president – he admitted.

– I will do everything in my power to explain it to people, show it, and I hope that it will be effective, Wałęsa declared. He also announced that if asked, he is ready to support him during the election campaign.

43rd anniversary of the introduction of martial law

43 years ago, on December 13, 1981, General Wojciech Jaruzelski announced the introduction of martial law. He referred to the decree of the State Council. Lawyers and historians determined that even under the law of the Polish People's Republic, this decree was illegal.