Poland’s High-Stakes Election Stirs Political Waves Amid Controversies

The forthcoming election in Poland, coined by opposition leader Donald Tusk as the “most significant election since the end of communism in 1989,” is prominently stirring the political waves in Poland. The polls are scheduled for next Sunday, with the right-wing United Right coalition, led by the Law and Justice party, confidently pursuing an unprecedented third term in office since 1989.

What was once a clear division between the ruling party and the opposition has blurred due to a fervently contested election cycle, making forecasts unreliable before the parliamentary vote. The once staunch supporter of Ukraine, Poland, has now strained its relations over the prohibition of Ukrainian grain, amid an otherwise turbulent election campaign. To add to this, Poland’s assertive disposition towards the European Union has been met with allegations of destabilizing democratic norms, eliciting a defiant response from Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

The contest sees the incumbent party, overseen by Jaroslaw Kaczynski since 2015, ahead in the polls but potentially grappling to orchestrate a coalition for securing an outright majority. Meanwhile, Donald Tusk’s centrist Civic Coalition (KO) faces its own challenges in consolidating an alliance with two other moderate parties, The Third Way and The Left.

The upcoming election, prophesied by Tusk as “a sign of Poland’s rebirth,” is charged with a variety of controversial issues, namely immigration. The Law and Justice party has intensified its anti-immigration rhetoric, attracting criticism from the opposition for its refusal to accommodate Muslim migrants. This has led to accusations of hypocrisy as Poland’s immigration wave has significantly swelled under the ruling party’s governance.

In addition, the conflict in Ukraine has become a focal point of the election campaign. Poland, once a steadfast ally extending an open-arms policy towards Ukrainian refugees, now seems to express an air of disappointment for perceived ingratitude from Ukraine. Compounding this sentiment is the government’s decision to halt weapons’ supply to Ukraine, amidst tension over Ukraine’s grain export.

Cemented in the heart of PiS is its socially conservative identity, often accentuated through its Catholic family values. Its platform assures an increase in child support and improvement of the pension system. However, the party has faced outrage over the tightening of abortion laws and raising questions over the politicization of the judiciary.

As one of the major opposition figures, Donald Tusk promises to unblock EU fundings and warns of Poland’s potential exit from the EU under PiS’s rule. However, the ruling party faces against such allegations. The electoral results could potentially mark a significant turning point on Poland’s relationship with the EU.

Lastly, alongside sectorial election, Poles are confronted with a few referendum questions designed to entice more electorate participation. Questions concerning the privatization of state companies, changes in retirement age, dismantling the fence with Belarus, and accepting more migrants keep the voters on edge. Regardless, both PiS and the opposition show resistance to pursue these policies, though the opposition voices concerns over biased wording in the questions.