POLAND: At the historic Lenin shipyard in Gdansk, where strikes once sparked significant political shifts, young Poles are currently engaged in discussions on safeguarding democracy in their nation.
Their concern lies in the potential jeopardy of the rights and liberties achieved by the Solidarity movement more than three decades ago, as the right-wing Law and Justice party, known as PiS, strives to secure an unprecedented third term in power.
Activists’ concerns are echoed by others in Gdansk, who underscored the courts’ dwindling independence under a PiS government and the government’s retreat on women’s rights, particularly the almost complete prohibition on abortion.
There are also worries regarding media freedom—publicly funded TV is becoming a platform for the government—as well as acrimonious squabbling with Brussels on matters ranging from judicial reform to migration.
This is why numerous Poles are now lauding the election on October 15 as the most significant since 1989, when Solidarity candidates achieved a clean sweep in the first partially free election following the era of communist rule.
Poland’s struggle for freedom
The tale of Poland’s struggle for freedom holds a prominent place in the northern port city of Gdansk.
A Solidarity museum, situated in the shipyard that was previously seized by the strikers, and billboards throughout the city centre narrate the significant transformations brought about by their protest, spearheaded by an electrician by the name of Lech Walesa.
This year, LWalesa’s son is seeking re-election.
“We have to make sure we win to reform all that has been destroyed in eight years,” Jaroslaw Walesa clarified, alluding to the two periods that PiS has held power thus far.
Representing the opposition Civil Coalition, just like the party leader Donald Tusk, he holds deep concerns about the growing tensions in Poland’s relationship with the European Union.
Like Brussels, he is also worried about the politicisation of the Polish judiciary.
The iconic 1989 slogan “Don’t sleep, or they’ll outvote you!” has been revived in Gdansk in an attempt to portray this election as yet another crucial one for Polish democracy.
As usual, the city is anticipated to vote firmly in favour of the opposition.
However, national opinion polls place the ruling Law and Justice Party ahead, albeit most likely short of a majority large enough to form a government.
Thus, the race for votes at the last minute is fierce.
PiS and Security
In the town of Elblag, just a short drive from Gdansk, campaign volunteers dedicated their Saturday to promoting the governing party at a local food market.
Amidst piles of potatoes and enormous pumpkins, they distributed bags featuring the PiS logo and handed out pamphlets endorsing the city’s primary candidate, who was notably absent.
The Russian exclave of Kaliningrad is in close proximity, and there is a fresh barbed-wire fence now along its entire border.
Even though the Elblag regional vote was strongly pro-PiS in the previous election, the activists’ pro-government message was not universally well-received by market visitors.
Some shoppers promptly returned the free bags upon realising the party logo printed on them. Others responded by pointing out that PiS had improved Poland to such an extent that their children had relocated abroad in search of better opportunities.
Protest vote
Back in the shadow of massive cranes at the historic Lenin shipyard, young individuals gathered to pose in front of a sign expressing their aspirations for enhancing their nation.
One of the individuals highlighted the near-total ban on abortion, which triggered extensive protests in 2020, as one of her major worries.
Two years ago, Julia Landowska, the organiser of the event, received a fine for using strong language regarding PiS during a protest, a penalty she is presently appealing.
She believes her case was intended to intimidate others and stifle opposing voices.
So as PiS backers are motivated to vote by discussions of increased security and expanded social spending, Julia intends to cast her own vote for change. While it might not carry the same magnitude as the historic events of 1989, it remains significant.
“Step by step, they are taking more and more away from us,” she said.
“We believe this election can change many things in Poland. So it’s important to go and vote and decide about our future,” she continued.
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