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| Thoughts on a Poland in Flux: Readers Speak Out | Thoughts on a Poland in Flux: Readers Speak Out |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| There is intense debate in Poland about the direction the country is taking under its new right-wing government, a debate that has spilled over into the European Union and that has raised questions about the direction of democracy in Eastern and Central Europe more than a quarter-century after the fall of the Berlin Wall. | There is intense debate in Poland about the direction the country is taking under its new right-wing government, a debate that has spilled over into the European Union and that has raised questions about the direction of democracy in Eastern and Central Europe more than a quarter-century after the fall of the Berlin Wall. |
| The New York Times asked readers in Poland to describe what had changed, and to talk about their hopes and fears as the government led by the Law and Justice Party (known by the Polish acronym PiS) exerts more control over public broadcasting and the judicial system and seeks to give conservative, Roman Catholic values a more prominent place in Polish life. | The New York Times asked readers in Poland to describe what had changed, and to talk about their hopes and fears as the government led by the Law and Justice Party (known by the Polish acronym PiS) exerts more control over public broadcasting and the judicial system and seeks to give conservative, Roman Catholic values a more prominent place in Polish life. |
| The push toward the right and a rise in nationalist fervor has left some Poles feeling disenfranchised and arguing that Poland would be better off cultivating Western alliances. Supporters of the new government, with links to rural Poland and the powerful Catholic church, say that news coverage of their country’s new course has been unfair. | The push toward the right and a rise in nationalist fervor has left some Poles feeling disenfranchised and arguing that Poland would be better off cultivating Western alliances. Supporters of the new government, with links to rural Poland and the powerful Catholic church, say that news coverage of their country’s new course has been unfair. |
| More than 1,000 readers responded, bringing to life a conversation about Poland’s direction. Here is a selection. The responses have been edited for length and clarity; those submitted in Polish include a translation. | |
| Anna Wroniewicz in Slomczyn, 27Teaching assistant at an international kindergarten | Anna Wroniewicz in Slomczyn, 27Teaching assistant at an international kindergarten |
| Jestem smutna i zadziwiona tym, jak szybko można podzielić Polaków na “nas” i “was,” na “lepszych” i “gorszych,” na “patriotów” i “zdrajców”. Taki podział jest absurdalny, niczym mądrym niemotywowany, ale PiS-owi jest na rękę, więc rządzący starannie go pielęgnują i podsycają wzajemną niechęć obu stron konfliktu. | Jestem smutna i zadziwiona tym, jak szybko można podzielić Polaków na “nas” i “was,” na “lepszych” i “gorszych,” na “patriotów” i “zdrajców”. Taki podział jest absurdalny, niczym mądrym niemotywowany, ale PiS-owi jest na rękę, więc rządzący starannie go pielęgnują i podsycają wzajemną niechęć obu stron konfliktu. |
| I feel sad and astonished at how quickly one can divide Poles into “us” and “them,” “better” and “worse,” “patriots” and “traitors.” This division is absurd and not supported by any rational arguments. But it’s beneficial for Law and Justice, so those in power carefully cultivate it and foment animosity on both sides of the conflict. | |
| Filip Lachert in Warsaw, 36Transmission manager for TVN, a private broadcaster | Filip Lachert in Warsaw, 36Transmission manager for TVN, a private broadcaster |
| I consider myself a liberal, and although I always vote, there isn’t really a party in Poland that represents my views. | I consider myself a liberal, and although I always vote, there isn’t really a party in Poland that represents my views. |
| The main change is the atmosphere. We are completely polarized as a society, and some of us are triumphant, some of us are worried. Still, a majority don’t care much, as they are uninterested in politics and despise politicians. | The main change is the atmosphere. We are completely polarized as a society, and some of us are triumphant, some of us are worried. Still, a majority don’t care much, as they are uninterested in politics and despise politicians. |
| I am worried that the actions of the government will weaken our international position and hurt our relations with the E.U. This, in turn, will make it much easier for Russia to expand, once again, its influence over Central Europe. | I am worried that the actions of the government will weaken our international position and hurt our relations with the E.U. This, in turn, will make it much easier for Russia to expand, once again, its influence over Central Europe. |
| Adam Sienko in Warsaw, 26Sports journalist | Adam Sienko in Warsaw, 26Sports journalist |
| Wbrew pozorom całkiem sporo się zmieniło. Ludzie powariowali i tematów politycznych trzeba unikać jak ognia. Większość takich rozmów kończy się kłótniami, a do dyskusji o sytuacji w Polsce wszyscy nabrali ostatnio wyjątkowej ochoty. Pierwszy raz w życiu jestem autentycznie zmęczony polityką i uciekam od niej jak tylko mogę. | Wbrew pozorom całkiem sporo się zmieniło. Ludzie powariowali i tematów politycznych trzeba unikać jak ognia. Większość takich rozmów kończy się kłótniami, a do dyskusji o sytuacji w Polsce wszyscy nabrali ostatnio wyjątkowej ochoty. Pierwszy raz w życiu jestem autentycznie zmęczony polityką i uciekam od niej jak tylko mogę. |
| Contrary to appearances, a lot has changed. People have gone crazy and political subjects need to be avoided at all costs. Most political discussions end with fights, but somehow, people have recently acquired a taste for debates about Poland. For the first time in my life, I am tired of politics, and I try to escape it as much as I can. | |
| Grzegorz Zielinski in Warsaw, 41 Psychotherapist | Grzegorz Zielinski in Warsaw, 41 Psychotherapist |
| It makes me remember the Communist era. Government saying that everything is right, when thousands on the streets and experts say the opposite. For the first time since 26 years of freedom, I and my friends are worried about our democracy. | It makes me remember the Communist era. Government saying that everything is right, when thousands on the streets and experts say the opposite. For the first time since 26 years of freedom, I and my friends are worried about our democracy. |
| Michal Madey in Chorzow, 33Operations manager for Cisco | Michal Madey in Chorzow, 33Operations manager for Cisco |
| I voted for PiS because I believe that Poland is still in the process of transforming from Communism and they are the ones who can finish this process. Eighty percent of our law is written in Brussels. We are being lectured on “democracy” by unelected commissars from the E.U. Polish people value liberty above all, and we want to decide on our own. PiS is far from perfect, but the best option yet. Foreign governments will not accept our democratic choices as they affect the interests of many foreign corporations who invest in Poland. | I voted for PiS because I believe that Poland is still in the process of transforming from Communism and they are the ones who can finish this process. Eighty percent of our law is written in Brussels. We are being lectured on “democracy” by unelected commissars from the E.U. Polish people value liberty above all, and we want to decide on our own. PiS is far from perfect, but the best option yet. Foreign governments will not accept our democratic choices as they affect the interests of many foreign corporations who invest in Poland. |
| Tomasz Surdykowski in Krakow, 32Translator and Ph.D. student in French literature | Tomasz Surdykowski in Krakow, 32Translator and Ph.D. student in French literature |
| As a translator working with E.U. documents and someone who has to care much about words, I feel oppressed by the sheer stupidity of the statements of our current government. Our minister of transport is deeply concerned about chemtrails. Our minister of foreign affairs considers riding a bike and being vegetarian as Marxist. And to add insult to injury, there is also the unbelievable insolence. A former Communist prosecutor is leading the efforts to dismantle the Constitutional Court. A guy involved in the financial schemes now presides the Finance Commission in the Senate. I have stopped listening to the radio and reading newspapers. | As a translator working with E.U. documents and someone who has to care much about words, I feel oppressed by the sheer stupidity of the statements of our current government. Our minister of transport is deeply concerned about chemtrails. Our minister of foreign affairs considers riding a bike and being vegetarian as Marxist. And to add insult to injury, there is also the unbelievable insolence. A former Communist prosecutor is leading the efforts to dismantle the Constitutional Court. A guy involved in the financial schemes now presides the Finance Commission in the Senate. I have stopped listening to the radio and reading newspapers. |
| Maria Pawlikowska in Krakow, 30Copywriter in a communications studio | Maria Pawlikowska in Krakow, 30Copywriter in a communications studio |
| I feel completely alone. I’m a vegan, a cyclist and an atheist. There is no place for me here anymore. I can’t watch my favorite TV station anymore, the budget in my city is lost due to World Youth Day. We want more bike paths and an Erasmus program! They steal our rights and a diversity rooted in Polish history. | I feel completely alone. I’m a vegan, a cyclist and an atheist. There is no place for me here anymore. I can’t watch my favorite TV station anymore, the budget in my city is lost due to World Youth Day. We want more bike paths and an Erasmus program! They steal our rights and a diversity rooted in Polish history. |
| Monika Wolosz in Gdynia, 23Masters student in English Philology at the University of Gdansk | Monika Wolosz in Gdynia, 23Masters student in English Philology at the University of Gdansk |
| I am afraid that soon public media will be exclusively conservative and any other point of view will be treated as an action against the law. I was born in 1993 and have lived my whole life in a free, democratic country, and I want it to stay this way. | I am afraid that soon public media will be exclusively conservative and any other point of view will be treated as an action against the law. I was born in 1993 and have lived my whole life in a free, democratic country, and I want it to stay this way. |
| Michal Szostak, Szczecin, 27Customer-service consultant and apprentice blacksmith | Michal Szostak, Szczecin, 27Customer-service consultant and apprentice blacksmith |
| I am not a fan of PiS, I have not voted for them, but I see major improvement in the quality of public debate in television. Topics that were silenced are now being mentioned even in major news programs (such as Middle Eastern immigration to Europe, anti-E.U. views, etc.). | I am not a fan of PiS, I have not voted for them, but I see major improvement in the quality of public debate in television. Topics that were silenced are now being mentioned even in major news programs (such as Middle Eastern immigration to Europe, anti-E.U. views, etc.). |
| Tomasz Chmielewski in Warsaw, 26Brand marketing specialist | Tomasz Chmielewski in Warsaw, 26Brand marketing specialist |
| Nigdy nie przypuszczałem, że będę brał udział w demonstracjach w obronie demokracji. Do tej pory widziałem takie demonstracje tylko w telewizji — we wschodniej Europie oraz w archiwach z czasów PRL-u. Nie spodziewałem się, że Polska, która była wzorem dla Europy w walce o demokrację, może w pewnym momencie tę demokrację zacząć tracić. | Nigdy nie przypuszczałem, że będę brał udział w demonstracjach w obronie demokracji. Do tej pory widziałem takie demonstracje tylko w telewizji — we wschodniej Europie oraz w archiwach z czasów PRL-u. Nie spodziewałem się, że Polska, która była wzorem dla Europy w walce o demokrację, może w pewnym momencie tę demokrację zacząć tracić. |
| I never imagined that I would be taking part in demonstrations in defense of democracy. So far, I have seen such things only on television — in Eastern Europe or in historical records from the time of the Polish People’s Republic. I never expected that Poland, which used to be a European role model in the fight for democracy, at some point could start losing this democracy itself. | |
| Cezary Michalski in Szczecin, 16High school student | Cezary Michalski in Szczecin, 16High school student |
| Poland has changed a lot since the Law and Justince Party came to power, mostly for the worse. However, there is one positive thing — the rise of civic society, which is something we never truly had in the past. Our country has been through a lot in the past, and we as a nation have shown that we will fight for our freedom and values we believe in. | Poland has changed a lot since the Law and Justince Party came to power, mostly for the worse. However, there is one positive thing — the rise of civic society, which is something we never truly had in the past. Our country has been through a lot in the past, and we as a nation have shown that we will fight for our freedom and values we believe in. |
| Jan Krol in Poznan, 25Ph.D. student in paleontology | Jan Krol in Poznan, 25Ph.D. student in paleontology |
| I hope that the new government will work on restoring the Polish economy based on our own production. Now, most of the factories in Poland are similar to those in the Far East — places where people assemble products for big foreign companies, very cheaply. | I hope that the new government will work on restoring the Polish economy based on our own production. Now, most of the factories in Poland are similar to those in the Far East — places where people assemble products for big foreign companies, very cheaply. |
| Mark Hall in Krakow, 58 Bass player for “Los Gasolineros,” a band of expatriates | Mark Hall in Krakow, 58 Bass player for “Los Gasolineros,” a band of expatriates |
| Many of my friends who have never shown an interest in politics are suddenly paying very close attention. The changes here are alarming, and the mounting xenophobia a source of concern to expats who have made their home here. | Many of my friends who have never shown an interest in politics are suddenly paying very close attention. The changes here are alarming, and the mounting xenophobia a source of concern to expats who have made their home here. |
| Katarzyna Andrzejewska in Warsaw, 23Student, teacher of foreign languages | Katarzyna Andrzejewska in Warsaw, 23Student, teacher of foreign languages |
| Jako osoba w homoseksualnym związku boję się o moje życie i wolność. Boję się trzymać moją ukochaną za rękę na ulicy, boimy się mówić głośno o naszym związku. Boimy się przede wszystkim pobicia. Utrudnione jest działanie organizacji broniących praw osób LGBT, cała społeczność homoseksualna w Polsce boi się, czy zmiany w Polsce nie przyniosą także ustawy antygejowskiej, takiej jak w Rosji. | Jako osoba w homoseksualnym związku boję się o moje życie i wolność. Boję się trzymać moją ukochaną za rękę na ulicy, boimy się mówić głośno o naszym związku. Boimy się przede wszystkim pobicia. Utrudnione jest działanie organizacji broniących praw osób LGBT, cała społeczność homoseksualna w Polsce boi się, czy zmiany w Polsce nie przyniosą także ustawy antygejowskiej, takiej jak w Rosji. |
| As a homosexual, I am afraid for my life and my freedom. I am afraid to hold my girlfriend’s hand in the street. We are afraid to talk about our relationship in public. Mostly, we are afraid of being beaten up. It has become harder for L.G.B.T. rights organizations to work. The entire gay community in Poland is afraid that these recent changes in Poland might also bring an anti-gay law — similar to the one in Russia. | |
| Rafal Panasiuk in Biala Podlaska, 27Construction worker | Rafal Panasiuk in Biala Podlaska, 27Construction worker |
| W moim codziennym życiu nie zmieniło się kompletnie nic. Pracuję i żyję jak dotychczas. Poziom mojej zamożności także pozostaje bez zmian. Nie głosowałem ani na PiS, ani na PO, aczkolwiek kibicuję obecnemu rządowi. Dodatkowo podoba mi się “polityka podniesionej głowy” wobec zachodniej UE. Mogę też śmiało powiedzieć, że za rządów premiera Tuska mój poziom życia znacząco się obniżył. Aby nie stracić płynności finansowej, musiałem wyjeżdżać do Wielkiej Brytanii w celach zarobkowych. Dlatego właśnie dla przeciętnego Polaka najlepszym premierem ostatnich lat był Tony Blair, który otworzył dla nas rynek pracy. | W moim codziennym życiu nie zmieniło się kompletnie nic. Pracuję i żyję jak dotychczas. Poziom mojej zamożności także pozostaje bez zmian. Nie głosowałem ani na PiS, ani na PO, aczkolwiek kibicuję obecnemu rządowi. Dodatkowo podoba mi się “polityka podniesionej głowy” wobec zachodniej UE. Mogę też śmiało powiedzieć, że za rządów premiera Tuska mój poziom życia znacząco się obniżył. Aby nie stracić płynności finansowej, musiałem wyjeżdżać do Wielkiej Brytanii w celach zarobkowych. Dlatego właśnie dla przeciętnego Polaka najlepszym premierem ostatnich lat był Tony Blair, który otworzył dla nas rynek pracy. |
| In my everyday life, nothing has changed. I work and live just as I used to. I voted neither for Law and Justice nor for Civic Platform, but I root for the new government. In addition, I like the politics of “the head held high” in regard to the Western European Union. I can also say that under the rule of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, my quality of life was significantly lowered. To maintain financial stability, I had to emigrate to Britain to work. That’s why the best prime minister for an average Pole was Tony Blair, who opened up the British market for us. | |
| Angelika Ciszewska in Krakow, 32Freight forwarder at a transport company | Angelika Ciszewska in Krakow, 32Freight forwarder at a transport company |
| W końcu dostrzegam szansę, że przestaniemy być “pieskiem” Niemiec. Polska to od wieków kraj katolicki z wartościami, które zdają się być niewygodne dla liberalnej UE. Jeśli ten rząd nie ugnie się pod presją zachodnich polityków, będę spała spokojnie. Reasumując, w warunkach materialnych nic się nie zmieniło, natomiast na pewno dziś bardziej czuję się Polką. | W końcu dostrzegam szansę, że przestaniemy być “pieskiem” Niemiec. Polska to od wieków kraj katolicki z wartościami, które zdają się być niewygodne dla liberalnej UE. Jeśli ten rząd nie ugnie się pod presją zachodnich polityków, będę spała spokojnie. Reasumując, w warunkach materialnych nic się nie zmieniło, natomiast na pewno dziś bardziej czuję się Polką. |
| Finally, I am seeing a chance for Poland to stop being Germany’s “little dog.” For centuries, Poland has been a Catholic country with values that seem to be disturbing for the liberal European Union. If this government does not cave to the pressure exerted by western politicians, I will sleep peacefully. |