Poles protest against pension reforms

Published on 30/09/2012 00:00

Thousands of Poles blew horns, prayed and waved flags in Warsaw yesterday to show their anger over a new law that raises the retirement age and a host of other issues.

The protest – which has been dubbed “Wake Up, Poland” – was organised by the conservative and nationalistic opposition party Law and Justice, which is led by Jaroslaw Kaczynski, as well as the Solidarity trade union and other groups.

A major source of anger for those joining the protests is a new law put through by the pro-market government of prime minister Donald Tusk that will gradually raise the retirement age to 67 for all Poles from 60 for women and 65 for men.