Hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered in Poland on the 34th anniversary of country’s first post-war democratic election – a march the liberal opposition billed as a test of its ability to end nearly 8 years of nationalist rule later this year, writes Al Jazeera.

The enormous anti-government march in Warsaw was attended by citizens travelling from across the country to voice their anger at the right-wing administration.

Large crowds gathered in Krakow and other cities across the nation of 38 million, showing frustration with a government that critics accuse of violating the constitution and eroding fundamental rights in the country long hailed as model of peaceful and democratic change.

Crowds stretching for at least 2 km marched with banners reading “Free, European Poland” and “European Union yes, PiS no”, referring to the governing Law and Justice party.

Some held masks of ruling party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski that had the word “shame” written on them. Organizers said 1 million people were marching, but police and city officials did not give an estimate.