When Democrats Govern Undemocratically: The Case of Poland

Excerpt

A specter continues to haunt Europe, one that many thought was long resolved: the debate over what constitutes democratic government and acceptable behavior in twenty-first-century democracies. These questions apply to several European Union member states but have been particularly contested with regard to Poland. The debate is nasty and deep as the governing center-left Citizens Coalition (KO)—led by its largest party (Civic Platform [PO]) and Prime Minister Donald Tusk—charges the right of center Law and Justice (PiS) with violating key tenets of democracy, the rule of law (ROL), and media freedom. PiS, led by former Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, responds that these charges have been misleading or false and that the current government itself is guilty of excesses on these very issues. 

What is this all about, and who is right? Weren’t these questions settled long ago? No, not really. There is more than one valid view on this nexus of issues, both regarding the period Law and Justice governed Poland (2015–23) and since Civic Coalition took office in December 2023. These issues are more complex and nuanced than prevailing narratives about “democrats” and “illiberal, far-right” politicians. 

Matthew Boyse is a senior fellow with Hudson Institute’s Center on Europe and Eurasia. Peter Doran is an adjunct senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.