#28 FEPS Talks: For European solidarity, in a fight against undemocratic forces
Apr 24, 2020•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode description
Dr. Krzysztof Smiszek, Vice-Chair of the Parliamentary Group of the Left in Poland and Dr. Ania Skrzypek, FEPS Director for Research and Training feature in this new exciting episode of the FEPS Talk to bring forward some insights regarding the worrying situation in Poland. The conversation is a journey, which begins with a throwback at the impressive return of the progressives into the parliament and leads through diverse battlefields marked by attacks that the Polish governing forces launch on democracy and rule of law. The list of these is long, spanning from undermining of the judicial system and diminishing freedom of press to restricting law on abortion or abolition of sexual education. What makes the counteractions hard is that in pursuit of a different Poland the governing forces do not hesitate to use the context of the pandemic. For example, the proposals of some outrageous bills are discussed, when manifestations are forbidden and when people’s minds are focused on issues such as jobs, healthcare and social security. And there is no limit to their coarseness. Whilst the presidential elections are in just two weeks’ time, all but one, presidential candidates are in lockdown, which prevents them from running any campaigns. The only one that can and does, is the seated President.
Where Smiszek, MP sees a hope is the renewed character of the parliamentary left, which is strongly embedded in the civil society and for which it is natural to lead the charge both in Sejm (lower chamber) and on the streets. Consequently, he is positive that there is an intellectual ferment and a will to resist among the people. So many of them are in their heart pro-European, which is also why it is important that Progressives from Poland and from across the EU remain united, that they carry on making the pro-EU arguments showing that the Union is the community Poland belongs to and can count on. To that end, being only yesterday in Biebrza National Park of which swamps are on fire – Smiszek is convinced that the political turning tides will also see Poland committing to the full extent to the European Green Deal.
