Enforcement of Equality before the Law in Poland during the Coronavirus Pandemic

Abstract

On 12 March 2020, the government declared the state of the epidemic in Poland. A day later, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki informed about the ban on public gatherings of more than 50 people. On 24 March 2020, the government introduced severe constraints on freedom of movement. Citizens could leave their houses only in duly justified circumstances, such as going to work or buying food. The police began controlling pedestrians and drivers to verify whether their movement was justified. All economic and social restrictions resulted in an almost complete lockdown. However, the public administration has gradually lifted the restrictions since mid-April. The will for social survival and the ruling party's determination to secure the re-election of Andrzej Duda in the presidential elections appeared to be stronger than a fear of infection and readiness to respect civil rights. The presidential elections (the first round on 28 June and the second round on 12 July 2020), held in an atmosphere of no epidemiological threats, ended Poland's first pandemic wave.