While most lawmakers were home for Christmas, Stasinski yesterday was joining a group of opposition lawmakers hunkering down in the dimly lit and chilly building to protest what they consider backsliding on democracy by a populist government whose anti-establishment and nationalistic views echo those of US President-elect Donald Trump.
The protesting lawmakers have vowed to stay in the main assembly where laws are voted on, taking turns in shifts, until parliament returns on January 11.
In its 13 months in power, the ruling Law and Justice party has moved to weaken the Constitutional Tribunal the country's highest legislative court tried to limit certain press freedoms, supported criminalising abortion and approved some restrictions on public gatherings. Opponents fear that the constitution and free elections might be next.
The way the ruling party is cementing power has unleashed off-and-on street protests in Warsaw and other cities.
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However, the party's support remains strong in small towns, boosted by cash bonuses paid monthly to families with at least two children and poorer families that have only one child. The party also lowered the retirement age to 60 for women and 65 for men, a popular change but one economists say the aging society can't afford.
The 48-year-old lawmaker planned to get through the holiday on his mother's pierogi, along with food from his fellow lawmakers and supporters, and some warm clothing. Anti-government activists were planning to organise a meal outside the parliament for the protesting lawmakers on Christmas Eve, the most important moment in three days of Christmas celebrations in Poland.
Poland has been in a state of tension since Law and Justice swept to power, winning first the presidency and then a majority in parliament the most power any party has had in the democratic era.