Victims of Their Own Making

The Victim Complex

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?

Left or Right?

Fighting & In-fighting

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?

Split in PiS

The End is Nigh for Law and Justice (PiS). The cracks that Kaczyński’s minions have been attempting to paper over are finally breaking through to the surface. The right-side of Poland’s political scence has forever been marked by in-fighting, faction-formers and splitters. And PiS is no different.

Brother Shall Betray Brother…

After the farce that was President Lech Kaczyński’s recent address (cum election speech) to the nation (see here) and the public outcry that followed, there seems to be increasing tension between uber-twin Jarosław and his (seemingly more powerful yet servile) Presidential brother Lech.

PiS President

The fundamental error committed by Lech Kaczyński when he became President was not to dissociate himself with his (former) party. Granted, he did hand in his party membership but all that he says, all that he does demonstrates a worrying PiS bias. He is the ‘PiS President’ as so many Polish commentators say.

Cracks Appear

The main Kaczyński-Kaczyński problem seems to concern those that surround each of the brotherly camps. Lech Kaczyński, up to now, has held with more European-oriented Michał Kamiński and Adam Bielan whereas uber-twin Jarosław prefers the more fork-tongued, conservative advice provided by Jacek Kurski, Zbigniew Ziobro and Przemysław Gosiewski. In his recent address, Jarosław told his twin to ditch Kamiński and make use of Kurski.

Kurski Controversy

Jacek Kurski is a two-bit spin doctor known for his outspoken views on anything and everything. He made his name in (recent) politics by fabricating a story concerning Donald Tusk’s grandfather claiming he was a member of the Nazi Wehrmacht. Classy, very classy. Despite his despicable views, Jaroslaw has stuck by him through thick and thin. Following the botched presidential address which Kurski brewed up for Lech, the President might not be so willing to use the services of his uber-twin’s minions in the future.

Two Parties – No Party

If a split does take place in the party it will in all likelihood rest on Poland’s place in Europe. The Lech-Kamiński-Bielan et al camp are more pro-Europe and more inclined to work with Civic Platform (PO) whereas the Jarosław-Kurski-Ziobro-Gosiewski faction are more for an anti-European, conservative, right-wing Poland where ‘family’ values (i.e. intolerance) are more important.

Right-Wing Implosion

This may be a time to rejoice for those who dislike PiS but it is another sad moment in modern Polish political history. After the glory days of Solidarity, Polish politicians are unable to match the selflessness and fruitfulness of those times. A divided right-wing and feeble left-wing has created a vacuum which an equally weak PO has filled. The question for all those concerned is whether PO will be able to step up to the plate, take advantage of the weakness of the opposition and finally usher in the reforms that Poland so desperately needs…

What kind of President are you, anyway?

Oh dear. To be honest the Lech Kaczyński-Donald Tusk tiff is becoming embarrassing. In truth both Kaczyński and Tusk are to blame for the farce that is Polish domestic and international politics.

Sikorski Come Home
Another hot spot blew up when Kaczyński ordered Radosław Sikorski, Foreign Affairs Minister to return to Poland before he went off to the Ukraine. The President demanded he be informed, in person, of what Sikorski wished to discuss while in Kiev. This childlike outburst was both annoying and unnecessary. Sikorski was several minutes before an important speech in Brussels concerning EU-Serbia relations. Kaczyński refused to speak to him on the phone. Rattles were thrown out of the pram. He had to cancel the speech. When Sikorski arrived hastily in Warsaw to meet the President, the conversation turned to US politics rather than Urainian relations. It became obvious that Kaczyński had ordered Sikorski to return to Poland to spite Sikorski and Civic Platform (PO), the ruling party.

President or Bust
What is incredible about the whole Kaczyński-Tusk dispute is the fact that the two of them were neighbours and (allegedly) good friends for a long time. Tusk, as most people know, has designs on the Presidency and will most certainly try and get himself elected President at the next elections. Kaczyński realises this and will do anything to taint the image of his one-time friend and neighbour. What is sad is the fact that the Polish concept of solidarity has gone out the window. Both men were important members of the Solidarity movement. Power corrupts, power is intoxicating and has gone to the head of both men.

Little Man, Big Job
The President of a country should be a figure-head, a role model of sorts. However, this little man has about as much charisma as a wet teddy bear. Lech Kaczyński is not and never will be a statesman or a leader of men. He is feeble, boring and very irritating. His body language says it all. He is a suspicious little man, uncomfortable with one of the most responsible positions in one of the largest countries of Europe. His rhetoric is negative and full of bile. And more frighteningly, he is completely at the beck and call of his twin brother. Jarosław says jump, Lech jumps; Jarosław says beg, Lech begs; Jarosław says follow, Lech follows.

PiS President
Lech Kaczyński is joint head of Law and Justice (PiS) in all but name. He represents the views of his brother’s party and his little minions. He does not represent the country. He is not a real president. Opinion polls paint a dark picture. Lech Kaczyński is neither a popular figure nor a politican that Polish people trust. He is regarded by most media commentators as a puppet of Jarosław, his twin brother. Poland has a president but it does not have a President (with a capital ‘P’). The average Polish person feels no pride in the fact that this man represents their country. Sad but true.

Lost Little Boy

It looks like the recent election defeat of Law and Justice (PiS) has tipped Jarosław Kaczyński over the edge. He seems to be flapping about like a lost little boy, thrashing out at times at members of his own party who dare question him or look for reason sfor why the party lost the elections. Humiliated ex-PM Kaczyński recently declared that Civic Platform’s (PO) total control of parliament is a serious threat to democracy in Poland. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

We all remember former Justice Minister Ziobro calling a press conference every two days to announce yet another fallen politician entwined in the evil black web of corruption. Poland’s judicial system was seriously compromised and its public prosecutors were even given orders to do the bidding of Ziobro. Nice!

Poland’s dirty washing was constantly on show to the world with senior ministers announcing that all of Poland’s previous Foreign Minister were all communist agents. Very tactful! While Tusk and company are trying to patch up relations between Russia and the European Union, Jarosław Kaczyński is using his brother, the President, to do his dirty work and criticise literally every move undertaken by Tusk or his team.

Ignorance, perhaps, may be bliss for Tusk if he does the right thing and ignores the not-so-wise words of the twins…

New Battle Begins

A new battle begins. The forces and good and evil will be pitted against one another once again. But this time, it is the forces of good that have the upper hand.

Civic Platform (PO) – a.k.a. the Pussy Cat Dolls – will now bear the mantle of the forces of good, the beautiful-looking, sweet-smelling cherubs of success. Take a look at the characters we have in PO. Their leader Donald Tusk is a sleek, well-groomed tall man in the charater of a real European man of state. His fellow PO-ites are also usually well-groomed and well-spoken.

The job of Law and Justice (PiS) – a.k.a. Lordi – will now be to break through this shell of perfume and make-up and show the world the true face of ‘The Platform’. However, the collective maws of PiS make a sorry sight. The Kaczyński twins (aka ‘potato heads’) are known for their unkempt looks, out-sized suits and ability to break the sentence of any language.

Brain against brawn? Looks against charm? Parliament re-opens for service on Monday…

Exit Poles – Enter New Poles

To be honest, I am absolutely disgusted, disenchanted and disillusioned with Poland and the fact that Polish people have such a feeble approach to democracy and the freedom to change things themselves. Are Polish people lazy? Do they want someone else to decide for them?

Democracy?
Nothing, it seems, can explain the low turnout in the general elections. 54% is feeble. Once again it shows that Poland is bottom of the European pile for citizen turnout. The argument that 50 years of communism has brain-washed the people is simply invalid. Hungary, Slovakia, Romania arguably had more tough regimes yet turnout is much higher.

Step Forward
Anyway, let’s move on. The latest stats (22nd October, 20:00) paint a grim picture for the former ruling party, Law and Justice:

PO 41%
PiS 32%
LiD 13%
PSL 8%

Finally, we can all breathe easily and sing “Ding Dong the PiS is dead” (listen here). The arrogance and seemingly undemocratic opinions, machinations and direction of the PiS government has gone. The ridiculous idea of creating a ‘new (fourth) republic’ has crumbled away.

Powerful Parliament
Personally, the most important result of these elections is not the fact that PO won, but the fact that there are only four parties in the Polish parliament. Right-wing, extremist LPR and populist Self-Defence have disappeared. Thank God!

The Choice is yours…

Who will you choose on Sunday? Who will you vote for?

Civic Platform (PO)
Law and Justice (PiS)
Left and Democrats (LiD)
The Polish People’s Party (PSL)

The choice is yours…

On the Eve of War

The countdown begins. Millions of Poles will be visiting polling stations around the country to cast their vote and decide who will take Poland forward for the next four years. Many political scientists have said that these will be the most important elections since 1989 with Poles being, at last, fully conscious of the burdens of democracy and the responsibility of choice.

Let Battle Commence
Turnout is what is most important in these elections. Only a large turnout will guarantee a genuine mandate for government for the political party that wins. A large turnout would also bring an end to the apathy and disenchantment surrounding Polish politics since 1989.

Knights in Shining Armour
As a commentator it would be irresponsible and unfair of me to pinpoint a candidate or a party who I prefer or like. Yes, I criticise Law and Justice (PiS) but the job of commentators and journalists is to keep the government on its toes, whoever it is. Let’s briefly look at the four parties that, I believe, really matter.

PO
Most people believe Civic Platform (PO) is the only powerful and viable alternative to PiS. Their strength lies in the fact that they have a positive approach to free enterprise, social relations, freedom of thought and most of the core values of democracy. Their members are generally centre-right and come from intellectual, academic or business backgrounds. In his recent mano-a-mano debate with the Prime Minister, PO leader Donald Tusk proved to be a tough and witty adversary outclassing the PM with concrete and elegant ripostes.

PiS
The ruling party has not made many friends in the international or domestic world during their two years in government. It began with the dismissal of charismatic PM Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz by party leader Kaczyński who later took over the PM mantle. Without doubt their greatest sin was forming a coalition with populist Self-Defence (Samoobrona) and right-wing, extremist League of Polish Families (LPR). Both minnows were later ejected by the PM which, in effect, caused the destabilisation of government and the need for new elections.

LiD
The Left and Democrats (LiD) were initially supposed to be a party of unification and dialogue bringing together people from the centre-right and centre-left, however, they appear leader-less and weak. Leader Wojciech Olejniczak is leader in name only and their figure-head, former President Aleksander Kwaśniewski, rather than boost the party’s popularity (which he initially did) has rambled slovenly from one media blunder to another. Kwaśniewski recently appeared drunk in public on two occasions and is known for his penchant for the hard stuff.

PSL
The dark horse of these elections is without doubt the Polish Peasant Party (known also as the Polish People’s Party) headed by Waldemar Pawlak. Unbeknown to many, PSL is actually Poland’s oldest political party with traditions dating back to the parliament of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. PSL has over the past few years evolved into a party of quiet intelligence avoiding controversy and commentating only on those issues that require discussion. It is the only party to actively search for dialogue and cooperation. Through the recent acquisition of young entrepreneur and Gadu Gadu founder Łukasz Foltyn, PSL has shown it will also be a force for business and innovation.

And the Winner is…
Four parties with four different approaches to politics and four different visions of Poland’s future in Europe and the world. PO and PiS will be fighting head-to-head for the largest slice of the pie but what is of additional interest is how much of the pie will be given to LiD and PSL. Will LiD become Poland’s ‘third’ power? Will PSL be able to win the rural vote and spread into the towns and cities? Zero hour is Sunday.

Elections or Bust

It seems more than likely that the moral burden of early elections will fall upon us like Thor’s Hammer come late Autumn. Poland is facing its most important vote since the fall of communism and 1989. I believe that there are two possible scenarios which we have to be prepared for.

Civic Platform Wins
The first possibility is that Law and Justice (PiS) becomes so utterly disgraced, arrogant and stubborn in its ways that it fails to see its house tumbling down around its feet and fails to win the next elections leaving Civic Platform (PO) to reap the winnings and become right-wing party number one. The responsibility on PO to win the next elections and be successful is therefore huge. Many (intelligent, educated and generally nice) people who I have spoken to have already said that if PO wins and fails to bring success, tolerance and moderate economic stability to Poland then they will never go to the elections again. This is in a country which already struggles to get a fifty percent turn-out in most general elections. And who’s to blame them with the failings of Solidarity and the constant splintering of the right-wing which was supposed to bring freedom and wealth after the torment of the communist years?

Law and Justice Wins
There is a dark part of my mind that believes indifference and apathy have become so ingrained in the Polish psyche that not even this amount of arrogance, scandal or treachery will do anything to make the Poles stand up and be counted and do something to change the way their country is being run. This second scenario will see the election turn-out to be around forty percent with the dark emissaries of anti-Semitic Tadeusz Rydzyk (see previous post) and his unholy followers turning out in vast hardcore numbers against the witless few representing Poland’s embryonic middle-class who make up the largest proportion of the disenchanted and apathetic masses. A PiS victory would bring about an end to economic growth, an end to enlightened European tolerance and an end to a once proud country. Poland would quite literally be on its knees.

European Perspective
Whatever the outcome, whoever the winner, the repercussions of these elections will be widespread not just for Polish history, society and culture but for Europe also. Like it or not, Poland is one of the larger EU member states and with a very large population; a large population who have a penchant for travelling, moving and working in other countries which means that political decisions taken in Warsaw could well influence what goes on in London, Paris, Berlin and Brussels.