For a number of years now there has been a growing trend within right-wing Polish politics which is particularly perplexing. Right-wing politics is often equated with patriotic and nationalist sentiments, glorifying past (and present) achievements as well as demonstrating the greatness of one’s nation. However, attitudes within right-wing (and liberal) circles in Poland seem to be advocating a different approach. This approach reached its apex when Law and Justice (PiS) came to power in 2005.
The Christ Nation
Together with the far-right League of Polish Families (LPR) and populist Self-Defence (Samoobrona), this approach became entrenched and particularly visible in Polish foreign policy during the PiS years. Polish politics (heavily influenced by the Catholic church at the time) embraced an almost ‘Christic’ and/or ‘martyrological’ approach to their own history. Poland was seen by these politicians to be both the saviour and martyr of Europe, the ‘Christ’ of European nations.
The German Invasion
When arguing for Poland’s God-given right to have more votes in the EU’s then new system of voting, one of the Kaczyński brothers said that had it not been for World War II, Poland’s population would be greater and so they deserve more votes in the EU. This attitude continued throughout their term in office and continues today. Certain politicians feel Poland ‘deserves’ more because it suffered so much. This attitude of Poland being the ‘eternal victim’ is extremely dangerous for a number of reasons.
The Destruction of Self
Firstly, with it comes a large whiff of misplaced arrogance which, to the outside world, is particularly irritating when the only arguments that can be heard coming from the Polish camp are that Poland deserves more because it had to live though both Nazism and Communism. Secondly, when such a victim complex becomes entrenched its proponents begin to genuinely believe it. So much so that extolling the virtues of being a victim turns into a form of flagellation or even historical and political self-mutilation.
The New History
Recently, there has been much talk about historical revisionism. Russia particularly has been found guilty of practising the re-writing of history. However, is Poland’s victim status also a form of revisionism? Believing that Poland is forever Europe’s martyr is useful as it absolves the nation of crimes previously committed, such as Jedwabne or Operation Wisła. How can the victim have ever been the tormentor?
PiS head Jarosław Kaczyński has announced that the European Parliament will bear witness to a revolutionary change following the upcoming European elections. During a meeting of the party’s political council, the Law and Justice (PiS) leader announced that it had been decided that PiS will take part in a project to create a new conservative grouping in the European Parliament.
MEPs Unite
Jarosław Kaczyński announced that MEPs of Law and Justice will be joined by Czech and British conservative MEPs to create this new right-wing organisation. The conservative group will come into being after the June elections to the European Parliament. Is this the start of something new? Of a change in national and European politics? Will we witness a shift to the right in some sections of the Euro-parliament? Does it matter?
Defenders Defend The Law and Justice leader believes that in order to defend the national interests of one’s country within the EU, politicians need to be independent and be free of any outside pressure. He feels that the creation of a new conservative group will give these ‘defenders of national interests’ this much-needed independence. He also believes that this new group will not only be a significant player in Brussels but will be also keep a beady eye on what MEPs are really doing.
Eurosceptics Divide Eurosceptics can perhaps be put into two groups. Those that will do anything to stop Brussels having a greater say in local matters and block any erosion of sovereignty, and those that will do anything to get as greater slice of the European pie as is possible. In Poland, the greatest Eurosceptics were members of Andrzej Lepper’s Self-Defence, who appeared to belong to the first group but once in power magically turned into the second. We all know that PiS advocates Euroscepticism; the question is whether this party (and the new conservative grouping) will advocate the first or second kind of Euroscepticism.
Picture the scene: a country on the verge of complete decay. People with no money, no food; social unrest in the streets, freedom of speech does not exist and Big Brother has such power that people cannot trust their own neighbours. This is a state in collapse, ready to implode and disappear.
Birth of Peace Then, just as this nation is about to evaporate into nothingness a group of people appear who are ready to fight for survival, fight for freedom and fight for the right to speak out. The non-violent Solidarność is born and with it one of the most famous figures of the 20th century, Lech Wałęsa. Solidarity manages to negotiate a level of cooperation with the communist authorities and set in motion a remarkable turn of events which, domino-like, bring about the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of communism in Eastern Europe.
Beginning of the End
After the incredible success of the Round Table Talks which sees Solidarność sit down with their adversaries the communists, Solidarity remarkably gain a foothold in government and soon the right-wing, with Solidarity as its chief flag-bearer, becomes a real force to be reckoned with. Poland’s future looks bright and its political system seems to be reaching an equilibrium of sorts. However, with power comes intoxication and Poland’s right-wing begins to bicker, quarrel and eventually fragment. Factions appear and the unity of Solidarity crashes to an unceremonious end.
When Right is Left
A united right-wing is no more. In fact, the idea that the right-wing was ever unified was simply illusory and at most pie-in-the-sky. Solidarity was a trade union. Its doctrine of workers’ rights and equality was socialist in nature, not right-wing. The leaders of Law and Justice (PiS) and Civic Platform (PO) may share a common heritage (in Solidarity) but neither would dream of being called socialist. In reality, the closest Poland has to a Solidarity-like party is the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), the offspring of the communist Polish United Workers’ Party (PZPR), sworn enemies of Solidarność.
PiS vs. PO
Polish politics is a strange beast. PiS claims to be right-wing, although at times it appears to be socialist (worker rights, pensioner rights and social hand-outs), whereas at other times it verges on fascist extremism. PO, also claiming to be right-wing, is often seen to be ultra-liberal, at times dangerously (for them) conservative. Anyone who did not know that they shared a common heritage would be most surprised. It might prove useful to finally do away with this leftist-rightest distinction as it does justice neither to Poland’s parties nor does it help in categorising them.
The Church The terms left and right do not seem to mean anything anymore. They have become worn-out and arbitrary. In fact, the closest we can get in describing them is through the dichotomy: pro-church/anti-church, or to be more specific, pro-Catholic/anti-Catholic. In other words, in Poland, a right-wing party is (generally) a pro-Catholic party whereas a left-wing party is an anti-Catholic party. If this is the case, does this make Poland a secular or a religious state?
An interesting piece in Dziennik, a popular Polish daily, caught my eye. It claims that the Brothers Kaczyński, twins Lech and Jarosław, are growing apart. To a certain extent this supports my theory that contemporary Polish politics will be fashioned by the strength (or weakness) of the relationship between the twins.
Alike yet Different It is common knowledge, among Poland’s journalists anyway, that President Lech Kaczyński has always been the more easier-going, likeable, friendly and more liberally-oriented of the Kaczyński twins. Jarosław, former PM and chairman of Law and Justice (PiS), has always been seen as more despotic, hard-hitting, conservative and quick to anger. It is also common knowledge that Lech has forever been the ‘weaker’ of the twins, easily swayed by and forever wary of his strong-willed brother Jarosław.
Different yet Weaker As President of Poland, Lech Kaczyński’s job is to unite and act as negotiator between Poland’s opposition parties. With his brother leading the chief opposition party, there is nobody in Poland who truly believes in his unbiased approach to party politics. Kaczyński has been quoted as saying something along the lines of “there is no law against talking to my brother”. The fact that Jarosław often acts as Lech’s political conscience whispering sweet political nothings into the President’s eager ear is cause for concern.
Alike yet Stronger Jarosław Kaczyński seems to be the more maverick of the two, more independent. Lech, on the other hand, is always keen to consult his brother in all matters, a greater level of dependence can be seen in him. He needs to consult and feel the strong guiding hand of brother Jarosław in all his decisions. But due to the fact that Jarosław has such a personality, he is also seen as uncompromising, inflexible and stubborn. Lech is open to compromise, more conciliatory and approachable.
Separating the Twins The short-term future of Polish politics depends on the extent to which the twins share their political goals and the level at which Lech’s dependence on Jarosław continues. Look at the picture above; whose body language looks more ‘presidential’? Civic Platform (PO) and Poland’s left-wing parties need to start spending more energy and time working with Lech. In practical terms, it means driving a wedge between the two. Already, there is talk of the twins having increasingly more ‘differences of opinion’. The start of a re-evaluation of the relationship?
Today is a wonderful day. The 6th February 2009 is the 20th anniversary of one of the most important moments in European history. On the 6th February 1989, twenty years ago, the so-called ‘Round Table’ talks kicked off in Warsaw and so began the dismantling of the totalitarian regime in Poland.
Good vs. Evil
The Round Table talks were pretty amazing as they saw the communist government invite representatives of Solidarity (the anti-government, anti-communist, pro-democratic semi-legal opposition) as well as members of the Catholic Church (sworn enemies of communism) to the table in order to discuss the future. The very fact that all of these people were able, and wanted, to sit down and together discuss the future of their country was unprecedented on a European, and perhaps even global, scale.
Forces of Good The members of the Solidarity opposition who sat at the Round Table (and in later years became key figures in Polish politics) included: Lech Wałęsa (leader of Solidarity), Bronisław Geremek (chief consultant to Lech Wałęsa), Tadeusz Mazowiecki (editor-in-chief of the weekly Solidarność), Jacek Kuroń (Solidarity advisor and founder of the Workers’ Defence Committee), Adam Michnik (Solidarity advisor and Workers’ Defence Committee member) and Lech Kaczyński (Solidarity advisor).
Forces of Evil The governmental side at the Round Table included: General Czesław Kiszczak (member of the Politbiuro and Minister of Internal Affairs), Leszek Miller (member of the Central Committee of the Party) and Aleksander Kwaśniewski (Minister for Young People). The infamous General Kiszczak is said to have played a fundamentally positive role in the talks. Leszek Miller and Aleksander Kwaśniewski, perhaps not huge players at the time, were set for dazzling careers in Polish politics in the years to come.
Wałęsa at the Table
Repercussions The talks were pivotal in the fact that they saw the bitterest of enemies sit down and constructively discuss the future of a nation on the brink of economic and social collapse. As a result, Solidarity gained a tangible foothold in Eastern European politics and led to the disintegration of communism throughout Europe. The Round Table not only began the erosion of communism within Europe, but the participants (including the much-maligned communists) actively worked towards the dismantling of a totalitarian regime that they realised no longer had a future.
Round Table Careers
The political legacy of the talks can still be felt today. Beginning with the Solidarity side, Lech Wałęsa went on to become President of Poland, Bronisław Geremek was Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tadeusz Mazowiecki was Poland’s first post-war democratically-elected Prime Minister, Jacek Kuroń became Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Adam Michnik founded Poland’s first post-war free newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza and Lech Kaczyński is currently President of Poland. As for the communists, Leszek Miller became Polish Prime Minster whereas Aleksander Kwaśniewski was President of Poland. Three Presidents, two Prime Ministers and a host of ministers is quite a legacy.
2009 is upon us and it’s perhaps time to take stock of 2008 and consider who were the biggest players on Poland’s political scene, who people took most notice of and who was the most influential Polish politician. Several names spring to mind but we can safely whittle the number down to five politicians:
Lech Kaczyński, President of Poland
Janusz Palikot, Civic Platform politician
Radosław Sikorski, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland
Lech Wałęsa, former President of Poland and leader of Solidarity
Justice (and Law) for All
Battling Everyone Poland’s President has been on the front pages for the majority of 2008. However, for most of that time, the former head of Law and Justice (PiS) has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Lech Kaczyński hit the headlines for his ongoing war with two other Polish political heavyweights – Lech Wałęsa (his former employer) and Donald Tusk (a one-time friend).
Waging War
Battle-ready Palikot has become Civic Platform’s (PO) aggressive little mascot, a renegade that the governing party is able to let loose every now and again to take a swipe at the President and the opposition, Law and Justice. Palikot hit the headlines in 2008 by claiming the President had alcohol problems and should have regular health checks to see if he is ‘fit’ enough to govern.
Rising Statesman
Battling High Radosław Sikorski’s comebackability, first from senator to Defence Minister (when PiS was in power), sacking (by PiS) and then appointment as Foreign Minister (by PO) has solidified his position as an expert in foreign policy and high government advisor. Rumours that he could become NATO’s new leader, though far-fetched, could be a sign of great things to come.
Shaky Platform
Battle-worn The PM has by no means had an easy ride this year. Constant bickering and petty squabbling with the President have not gone down well with the Polish public denting his popularity. Tusk seems to be a man always ready for the race but never managing to get to the finish line. 2008 has been a year of near successes and Poland’s much-needed reforms still seem a long way off.
Prized Leader
Battle-hardened Wałęsa spent much of 2008 trying to clear his name after a book was published claiming he had collaborated with the communists. Lech Kaczyński publicly slurred Wałęsa and spurned him during Independence Day celebrations by not inviting him to the official do. However, Wałęsa’s year finished on a high note with his own Nobel Peace Prize Anniversary celebrations attended by the world’s greatest politicians, famous personalities and finest dignitaries.
Lech Kaczyński is doing everything he can to get noticed much to the chagrin of most of Poland’s political elite, journalists and tired citizens. He began the week by making a bold, mighty declaration stating that Russia should withdraw its armed forces from Georgia. The plan, instigated by Kaczyński, was to collect the signatures of a large number of well-known and influential world leaders. The declaration was signed by Kaczyński and… the President of Lithuania. To make matters worse, Lech Kaczyński failed to inform Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
EU Boob The week rolled on and Kaczyński went from blunder to bungle. When PM Donald Tusk realised that Kaczyński will be yet again gate-crashing yet another EU summit Tusk decided that he won’t force himself to go through the embarrassment of being patted on the back (again) and patronised by a meddling Kaczyński. Tusk will not be travelling to the summit. The PM’s decision is both ridiculous and emotional and one cannot help feeling that somehow, somewhere Poland’s interests have been cast aside in this catty bickering between the two politicians.
Congratulatory Goof
But by far the biggest boo-boo made by Kaczyński this week was his congratulation letter sent to Barack Obama in which Kaczyński twice writes: “the President of the United States of Northern America”. Apparently, the original draft of the letter containing the correct title, written by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was later ‘corrected’ by Kaczyński’s own office. Not only has Kaczyński managed to make a fool of himself, make a fool of his countrymen, insult the President-Elect of the most powerful nation in the world but also, quite incredibly, invent a brand new country. Impressive.
Yesterday’s news (see here) that President Kaczyński will also be making his way to the upcoming EU summit comes as a surprise for all of us, both here in Poland and in the rest of Europe. Lech Kaczyński seems to be a man unaware of his position and capabilities, a little Napoleon set on crusading through Europe and the world, even though there have been no crusades for generations. The man seems to be set on creating the world in his own image, an image shared only by himself (and perhaps his more pesky twin brother).
No Heads of State Little Miss Kaczyński has got it into his head that he is too important not to attend the EU summit. The problem is that this is an inter-governmental summit and not a meeting of heads of state. Will Queen Elizabeth be there? Juan Carlos of Spain? President Sarkozy of France? No. Each country is set to be represented by its Prime Minister and in Poland’s case also the Finance Minister. Besides, the President does not possess the know-how to discuss the financial machinations of the current economic downturn and future escape packages for Europe.
Opposition to Kaczyński
In a remarkable show of solidarity, Poland’s opposition politicians (bar PiS, headed by Lech’s twin brother) have all come out on the side of Prime Minister Tusk who has reiterated that Lech Kaczyński should under no circumstances travel to the summit. Even malcontent, former PM Leszek Miller has put the full weight of his support behind Tusk claiming that the current PM is “utterly in the right and has done no wrong” (Tok FM).
Lithuania or Bust Kaczyński is so eager to stamp on Tusk’s fire and cause mayhem that the idea was even mooted that he would travel with the Lithuanian delegation. Does that mean Kaczyński’s aides have been ‘phoning round’ to see who the President of Poland might piggy-back with. Very swish, very elegant. After meeting Tusk, it now seems that Kaczyński will be travelling in the official plane to Brussels albeit the day after Tusk and the Finance Minister go. However, the question needs to be asked: why on earth did Tusk back down?
Mission Impossible
Sadly, Lech Kaczyński has become a political pest. He has no regard for accepted etiquette (i.e. the above summit) and is dead set on proving to the world he is a ‘great leader’. If this was the case, he would perhaps be a little more cautious with where he travels and more restrained with what he says. He seems to forget that he is the President of the Republic of Poland. He represents the people and not the party of his twin brother. His mission is to present Poland in a good light rather than spend all his energies on promoting himself.
Radosław Sikorski has yet again let his emotions fly claiming that the President is not an “Oberpremier” and he, Sikorski, reports only to the Prime Minister and not the President. The whole kerfuffle came about when Minister of Foreign Affairs Sikorski visited Belarus in an attempt to improve relations between the two countries.
My Word Against Yours President Kaczyński believes the visit should have coordinated with his office and his person. Sikorski believes otherwise. Even though he did send a note to the Presidential Office, Sikorski said that there was absolutely no constitutional need for him to do so. The President does not have to be consulted in these matters. Sikorski went as far as saying that President Lech Kaczyński still cannot get used to life without his brother Jarosław being PM.
Belarusian Results
Regardless of their bickering, Sikorski’s visit to Poland’s eastern neighbour should be hailed a success. It was the first such visit in years and also marked an important point for Poland’s diplomatic corps as Sikorski was also representing the European Union on his mission to Minsk. Although little of substance was agreed upon, the very fact that the Polish mission was even allowed to set foot in the Belarus is a positive point. Belarus despot Lukashenko is sounding out the political mood and realises that putting all his egss in the Russian basket might not actually be a good idea. The Polish visit was well-organised and well-timed.
Poor Advice Whatever the results, the incessant squabbling between Sikorski and Kaczyński has become tiresome. Almost every time Kaczyński instigates such an attack (and he is nearly always the initiator), he invariably takes a pounding in the opinion polls, from the press and from the majority of commentators. What is surprising is his complete inability to learn from his mistakes. His chief aide Michał Kamiński claims that a new ‘friendly’ President will soon emerge. Does that imply more PR? From Kamiński? I dread to think what the outcome will be. Kaczyński has a penchant for poor advisors and this latest spat only highlights their ineffectiveness in the world of power politics.
The news that Polish President Lech Kaczyński is flying out to Georgia has divided opinion. George Bush has praised President Kaczyński for his bravery and leadership. Hardly a compliment if you see that the USA has done absolutely nothing to avoid this conflict or help in negotiations.
Silent Fear In fact, the power institutions of the world are so afraid of Russia that nothing at all has been done to caution or admonish Russia for its acts of hostility on Georgia. Some feeble, non-threatening remarks have been made by a few countries and nothing else, nothing of substance.
Russian Motives Actions, of course, speak louder than words and if the current status quo continues and the stance of the world’s leading power centres does not change then Russia will soon ‘liberate’ South Ossetia, then Abkhazia, after which both entities will no doubt ‘elect to join’ Russia allowing the Russians to incorporate these territories into their federal structures. As we know both areas are of strategic importance with regards to oil pipelines and access to the sea. These would be prized acquisitions for Russia.
Prometheus & Eagle
Lech’s Mission Kaczyński mission to Georgia is brave but it may also be foolhardy. The Russian ambassador in Latvia has already warned the Baltic States and Poland not to criticise Russia. The ambassador wrote that “Quick judgements [by Poland and the Baltics] should not be made concerning this situation [the Georgian conflict] because mistakes could well be made for which they [Poland and the Baltics] will have to pay”.
Prometheus on His Mind It is interesting to put Kaczyński’s position in context. Both Lech and his brother are known admirers of Józef Piłsudski and by extension his policy of Prometheism (discussed in brief in a previous post). If this is the case and Prometheism is a key policy also of President Lech Kaczyński’s then the mission to Georgia, together with the leaders of the Baltic States and Ukraine would appear to be something of an acme in the consolidation of this policy. For Lech Kaczyński, the fact that he is making this journey in concert with key ‘Promethian’ leaders is in itself a huge success regardless of the result once in Georgia.
Posted by Raf Uzar 
Posted by Raf Uzar 
Posted by Raf Uzar 
