Poland’s presidential election is a battle of liberals vs. traditionalist romantics

The Polish election battle is between a romantic-traditionalist-conservative vision of Poland and one which sees it joining the Western European liberal mainstream, writes Michał Szułdrzyński in Polish daily Rzeczpospolita

editor: REMIX NEWS
author: Michał Szułdrzyński

The growing polarization between supporters of incumbent President Andrzej Duda and Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski is likely to come to a climax in the second round of voting on July 12.

Poland is likely to split in half over the choice. The nation will face a choice between a romantic, traditionalist, and social vision of the future versus a liberal one.

The ruling Law and Justice (PiS) is committed to a vision of freedom as one of being able to be a part of a national community that gives meaning and identity to individuals. No surprise, therefore, that the party is emphasizing patriotism, cultural identity and expressing doubt about the secularization trend stemming coming from the West.

According to this vision, Poland is to be a modern state with a traditional society which listens to the church’s teachings on issues such as abortion, euthanasia and same-sex marriage. The source of economic development is to be internal demand stimulated by social transfers and major capital investment projects which also are set to raise national self-esteem.


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