Emmanuel Macron comes to Poland today. It is his first trip to the country since coming to power in 2017. Will he reach out to the Warsaw rulers who accused his France of breaking democratic principles? What is the olive branch? The list of disagreements is long. The list of common interests seems short. Is … Continue reading Macron in Warsaw
Tag: poland
Poland votes for President 2020. Who’s running?
The presidential elections in Poland are scheduled for late spring 2020. Most likely the first round of voting shall take place on 10 May 2020, but the formal decision has not been taken as of now. The incumbent, Andrzej Duda, has been the country's president since 2015, and an MEP before that (2014-2015) with Law … Continue reading Poland votes for President 2020. Who’s running?
Poland loses interest in EU
When the Council of the EU votes on energy transformation, environmental protection or transport, the PiS government is usually in the minority. The Eternal Question Since joining of the EU, Poland is facing the question of its own position in the Union. The question is linked to its size: Poland is the smallest among the … Continue reading Poland loses interest in EU
Jarosław Kaczyński writes to voters
Almost two weeks after the Polish general elections the politics in Warsaw is fourfold. There is a fight for the control over the Senate where the united opposition parties snatched a tiny majority (51-49) over the ruling Law and Justice (PiS). PiS challenges outcome in six districts with limited chances of success. The other three … Continue reading Jarosław Kaczyński writes to voters
Political Europe & Me
Dear Reader, In a form of a letter, let me try to cover the ongoing political issues related to the European Union. You are free to ask and to comment. You are free to disagree. Today is the last day of the old world. Today is the first day of the new world. Obviously. So, … Continue reading Political Europe & Me
The Week After the Vote
Just four days after the parliamentary elections in Poland and the new political reality in Warsaw is slowly settling in. What do we know? A New PM in sight - unlikely Mateusz Morawiecki was or is the candidate for the Prime Minister job. But before this question is answered by the PiS chair, Jarosław Kaczyński, … Continue reading The Week After the Vote
Poland voted: the Senate results
PiS loses out in the Senate to the Opposition. Difficult time ahead. #Gimme5EU
Poland voted: the morning after
So yesterday Poles went to the polls. And yes they did. Big numbers, some 61% (estimated) of the electorate showed up. The celebration of democracy continues. As the results come in and they are distorted after 25% and 42% of the vote, I prefer to present the "late poll" result, which is almost identical with … Continue reading Poland voted: the morning after
Poland voted: First reactions
Today Poles go to the polls to elect new Sejm of 460 MPs and 100 Senators. As the first exit polls come out, Law and Justice is the clear winner with 43.6% of the vote. The centrist Civic Coalition (KO) is second with 27.4% of the vote. The Left's back in the Polish Parliament with … Continue reading Poland voted: First reactions
The Polish EP 2019 results are coming in
As the night is unfolding, the first results of the European elections in Poland are coming in. Initially as exit polls, late polls, this morning (6 AM) we have results out of 95,9% of precincts. Here they are: Law and Justice, 46,00%European Coalition, 37,87%Spring, 6,02% The other committees fall short of the 5% threshold, most … Continue reading The Polish EP 2019 results are coming in
Will Poles double the turnout?
In the previous European elections Poles did not vote in big numbers. Turnout never was higher than 25%. This time it looks like things go differently. The Electoral Commission just informed that the turnout at 12:00 was 14.39%. This is almost double than five years before, when by midday the Polish turnout was at 7.31%. … Continue reading Will Poles double the turnout?
Poland on strike
Since Monday, 8 April, Polish schools and pre-schools are on strike. Classes are cancelled throughout the country. Teachers are demanding increases of salary. The government reached an agreement with one of three of the trade unions, the educational branch of "Solidarność", but most teachers continue to strike. Many of "Solidarność" members defy their union. Many … Continue reading Poland on strike
One Poland, diversified
As many as 62.1% of Poles and Poles believe that religion should take place in vicarage, while only 37.9% are in favour of religious education in schools. 55.9% prefer to be buried in a traditional coffin, but as many as 44.1% would choose to be cremated. As many as 54.1% think that Nobel Peace Prize … Continue reading One Poland, diversified
Far, far away on the right side
Where the horizon ends on the far, far right side, Sunday saw two new - marginal, I hope - developments in Poland. Both in the context of the European elections. Żółtek's Polexit First, another new party was created. It is called Polexit and its driver is Stanisław Żółtek, MEP, former associate of Janusz Korwin-Mikke. Mr. … Continue reading Far, far away on the right side
A new role for Poland in the Trump’s World
Over a few last days two simultaneous geopolitical events took place. It would be fair to treat them separately, but as they have a rare joint actor, we won't. First, Mike Pompeo announced that there will be a Middle East conference - Iran being the most important topic - in Warsaw. This triggered an outcry in Tehran … Continue reading A new role for Poland in the Trump’s World