Political tension in Poland is rising as former governing party Law and Justice (PiS) is trying to stir up controversy and polarising the political debate over the new government helmed by centrist politician Donald Tusk and his Civic Platform (PO) party, receiving support from President Andrzej Duda in open contrast against the country’s government.
PiS was the most voted single party in last October’s elections but felt short of a governing majority and after a lengthy process stepped down from power after ruling for eight years. However, the party and his leader Jarosław Kaczyński continue to protest against the elections, claiming it wasn’t legitimate.
They also contested the new heads of state television, radio and news agency PAP. Tusk appointed new directors in place of those nominated by PiS, prompting the party to accuse him of stifling freedom of speech. During the previous government, state-controlled media were accused of making propaganda for the government and against Tusk. Some commentators claimed that PiS wanted to keep hold of public media for the next couple of months in order to control media narrative for the upcoming local elections.
Polish President Andrzej Duda is also supporting his party, especially in the case of former Ministry of Economics Mariusz Kaminski and his deputy Maciej Wasik. The two were convicted of abuse of power and received a warrant for their arrest on Monday. However, Duda hosted them on Tuesday at Warsaw’s Presidential Palace and swore them in as presidential advisers. The president stated that he pardoned the men in 2015, making the recent conviction illegitimate. Last year, the Supreme Court ruled against the pardon, citing that final judgement was yet to be issued at the time of the pardon.
