Poland: European liberals against the pro-American conservatives

A plenary session of the European Parliament is to be held on January 19th. Representatives of the dominant liberal forces will discuss what is "wrong" from their point of view, and the activities of the Polish authorities. Among them is the re-election of four judges of the Constitutional Court of the country where the ruling party "Law and Justice" want to introduce their protégés, and the new law that enhances state control of the public TV and radio broadcasting. The Polish authorities are accused of possessing autocratic tendencies.

The one-party system in Poland

Currently the executive and legislative power in Poland is completely controlled by the representatives of the party "Law and Justice". President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Beata Szydlow represent this particular party. "Law and Justice" is the Conservative Party, which holds the position of euro-scepticism and protects traditional values.

The phenomenon of Eastern European national-populism

"Law and Justice" is a sample of the phenomenon of Eastern European nationalist populism. The main features of this ideological current are the protection of traditional, conservative values, making them the values of the majority, and upholding the social and economic interests of the majority, the protection of national identity, and faith in a strong leader. The opposition of values imposed by Brussels is characteristic of traditional national values.
The sources of support for national-populist movements are the frustrated population at the value of European integration, its economic and social performance, and unresolved social problems in post-socialist societies. Poland, like most countries in Eastern Europe, has no serious tradition of Western-style democracy.

New Europe against Old Europe

Despite its anti-liberal rhetoric, the "Law and Justice" party in its foreign policy focuses on a close alliance with the United States. The founder of the party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, is associated with the American neo-conservatives. Under the presidency of his brother, Lech Kaczynski, Poland has declared itself as a leader of "New Europe", the pro-American bloc of Eastern European countries opposed to the Franco-German nucleus of the European Union. The United States is interested in fueling internal conflicts within the EU so that the European Union does not become a serious geopolitical rival.

Jagiellonian orientation

In contrast to the European Union, the Polish government intends to strengthen its relations with NATO. The 2015 scandal with the power change of the leadership of the Intelligence Expert Centre of NATO in Warsaw in December did not affect Atlanticist ties, as the center itself was created by Polish initiative and was not an official body of the Alliance. NATO intends to increase its military presence in Poland, with the Poles being in favor of this step. "Law and Justice" are in favor of an active policy in the East (the so-called Jagiellonian paradigm of Polish foreign policy), implying a conflict with Russia.

Two variants of euro-scepticism

The situation in Poland demonstrates the presence of two types of Euro-skepticism in Europe today. The party “National Front” in France, “Freedom Party” in Austria, and “Northern League” in Italy represent the first type. The "Fidesz" party in Hungary is partly continentalist and aims to achieve independence from the United States and turn Europe into the pole of a multipolar world order. They are opposed to the EU because of its liberal and often pro-American policy, which does not correspond with their national interests. The second type is represented mainly by the British (part of the Conservatives, UKIP), Dutch (Dutch Freedom Party), Nordic and Eastern European political forces, who are opposed to a united Europe, and as a result are focused on close cooperation with the United States. Both are opposed to the modern European Union, but for different reasons.

Forecast

The European Parliament for Poland is not authorized to make any binding decisions regarding Poland. The standoff between Brussels and Warsaw will continue. At the same time Poland will use the informal support of the US and NATO.

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Poland: European liberals against the pro-American conservatives