In Poland’s June 1 presidential runoff, Warsaw’s popular liberal mayor lost by a narrow margin to a far-right former bodyguard seemingly ill-suited for the job. Why did Polish voters choose a political unknown as their next president? The failure of Donald Tusk’s ruling party to deliver on its promise to restore democracy after eight years of illiberal rule certainly played a part. But, as Jarosław Kuisz and Karolina Wigura explain in a new online exclusive, the far right’s ascendency signals deeper cultural and political shifts.
The following Journal of Democracy essays chronicle the rise, fall, and resurgence of illiberal populism in Poland, and what it means for the country’s democratic future.
Why Poland’s Liberals Lost
Political blunders, distrust of elites, and Donald Tusk’s inability to deliver on his promises helped make an unknown, far-right former bodyguard the country’s next president. Worse, it will be far harder now to safeguard Polish democracy.
Jarosław Kuisz and Karolina WiguraHow to Dismantle an Illiberal Democracy
There is no clear roadmap. But Poland may be setting out on its first steps in stamping out populism and holding accountable those responsible for the worst violations of the rule of law.
Jarosław Kuisz and Karolina WiguraExplaining Eastern Europe: Can Poland’s Backsliding Be Stopped?
Viewed until recently as an exemplar of democratic transformation, Poland is increasingly seen as a leading case of democratic backsliding, thanks to a series of illiberal measures pushed through by the Law and Justice party.
Wojciech PrzybylskiEast-Central Europe: The Young and the Far-Right
Far-right parties in Europe’s newer democracies have been working hard to appeal to younger citizens, and for good reason: Young people’s shifting values make them a ripe target for the far right.
Laura JakliThe Specter Haunting Europe: Populism and Protest in Poland
Once the poster child for successful postcommunist transitions to democracy, Poland is now governed by populist nationalists. What happened?
Joanna Fomina and Jacek Kucharczyk
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