WARSAW — Tens of thousands of people marched through central Warsaw on Wednesday to mark Poland's Independence Day. President Karol Nawrocki walked near the front of a procession organised by the nationalist Independence March Association. The march marked 108 years since Poland regained statehood in 1918.

The column set off from Roman Dmowski roundabout in the city centre and crossed the Vistula towards the National Stadium. Marchers carried white-and-red flags, and some lit flares along the route. A spokesperson for the Warsaw Metropolitan Police said thousands of officers had been deployed. The spokesperson added that several people were detained for public order offences, including the use of pyrotechnics.

The Chancellery of the President confirmed Mr Nawrocki's participation on Tuesday evening. The president, who was backed by Law and Justice in the 2025 election, also joined last year's march.

Before his election, Polish heads of state had largely kept away from the event because of its association with far-right groups. Earlier on Wednesday, he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Piłsudski Square during the official state ceremonies.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government held separate commemorations and did not take part in the march. Members of the governing Civic Coalition accused the president of lending legitimacy to radical nationalists. Smaller counter-demonstrations organised by anti-fascist groups gathered elsewhere in the city under police supervision.

The competing events reflected the bitter rivalry between the president and the Tusk government, which has repeatedly clashed with Mr Nawrocki over his use of the presidential veto. Parliamentary elections due in 2027 have sharpened that confrontation. Analysts at Polish polling firms have said that both camps see the national holiday as a test of their ability to mobilise supporters.