In the Polish capital of Warsaw on Sunday, an enormous crowd assembled for a rally organized by the country’s opposition party in preparation for upcoming elections that carry significant implications for Poland’s future in Europe later this month.

Organizers claimed that the “March of a Million Hearts” drew a turnout of 1 million people, although the Polish press agency PAP reported that local police estimated about 100,000 participants.

Leaders of the opposition Civic Platform (PO) party aimed to use this Sunday gathering as a means to generate momentum leading up to the vote scheduled for October 15, CNN reported.

Their goal is to regain political control from the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, which has governed Poland since 2015.

The event commenced at noon with speeches from several leaders, followed by a 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) march undertaken by attendees an hour later, as reported by CNN affiliate TVN Poland.

Written by staff