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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Opolskie manifestacje w obronie demokracji

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Opole is a provincial city of the smallest region in the country. Nevertheless, its inhabitants manifest their views on matters important from their point of view. The analysis of the largest protests in re- cent years in this region shows that the inhabitants of Opole most often and loudly demonstrate in de- fense of democracy — both at the national and local level. In the chapter Opole demonstrations in de- fense of democracy, Katarzyna Daniel proposes an analysis of two problems that caused Opole inhab- itants to take to the streets, i.e. protests in defense of the broadly understood judiciary initiated in 2017 and demonstrations and strikes caused by the en- largement of the administrative borders of the city of Opole on January 1, 2017. Cyclical demonstrations in many cities grew stronger when changes were proposed regarding, inter alia, election of members of the National Council of the Judiciary by the Seym by a simple majority, introduction of disciplinary liability of judges, or retirement of the First President of the Supreme Court during an uninterrupted six-year term of office in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Poland. On the other hand, the cause of numerous demonstrations in Opole was frustration related to the disregard for the voice of the inhabitants regard- ing the enlargement of the city (over 900Zo respond- ed negatively in social consultations). The oppo- nents of the enlargement of Opole believed that the incorporation of their communes was done by force, against the local community, for reasons that were not entirely purely moral. The most active were the inhabitants of the Dobrzeń Wielki commune, who, along with other demonstrators, expressed their dissatisfaction in the form of: numerous demon- strations, collecting signatures on letters opposing the enlargement of Opole, high activity in public consultations, road blockades, a protest in Warsaw, meetings with journalists and local government of- ficials, politicians or a hunger strike. These were undoubtedly one of the largest and cyclically repeated protests in Opole for several years. The causes of the problems were indicated, as well as the course and forms of manifestation and its effects.