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"Most of Europe is becoming more and more nationalistic, antisemitic, and racist," says Kwiatkowski. Really? That seems like a very broad statement to make about a very broad geographic area. I know the trends and election results from various European locales, but this still seems overly simplified.
That said, thank you, Ruth, for covering this wonderful victory for all small d democrats!
I remember that Donald Trump was very excited when Brexit passed in the UK. He saw it as foreshadowing for what was to come. It's hard not to hope that the Polish elections were a different foreshadowing, and that the world has grown warier of domination thinking, violence, and control over people because of identity. We'll see if it continues. I was worried, especially given the Slovakia election that things would trend more to the right. I've also been hearing more about the disgust and anger of Israeli's with Bibi brought on by this last week. I find that hopeful as well.
Finally, some encouraging news. Corruption is the Achilles heel of autocracies. People can eventually come to the realization that the autocratic regime does represent their interests but the interests of the regime and its favored cronies.
What could the EU do better when faced with Polands Law and Order as it attacks the institutions of Democracy? Same for Orban in Hungry. What could the EU do counter Lapenne in France and Italy's new fascist PM? What are they doing to counter the conservative/fascist movements? What could we learn from their successes before its too late?
Let us be inspired by the March of a Million Hearts and take note. We, too, can shut the door on anti-democratic leaders, candidates and policies. Vote and drag everyone you know who can vote to exercise their right to vote.
Since the term for suicide or even murder is "unalive/unalived", perhaps the term "unfreedom" should be used to convey the aims,machinationsand goals of authoritarian, dictatorship, and totalitarian movements.
How the young voters propelled Poland forward – lessons for us all
As one headline described Poland, 'No Country for Old Men!' and further described how the young voters helped swing the elections in Poland as the young voters were STILL lined up in the “middle of the night” waiting to vote!! After nearly a decade of Nationalist-Conservative Law & Justice Party (PiS rule), Poland has become increasingly polarized with this year’s campaign being most malicious since the post-1989 era! But the actual and most amazing aspect of this year’s elections was the record voter turnout of 74 percent with turnout among the young voters (18 to 29 years) reaching 68.8%, compared to 46.4% in the previous elections of 2019!
The strategy was to continue to use the traditional PiS rule that maximizes the more well-off, older voters. But there weren’t enough of them this time around!
Some factors did stand out in the Poland elections this time around which “progressive factors” elsewhere can learn from as we are learning in the United States involving Gen Z issues, abortion laws, women's reproductive issues, young mothers’ & childcare payment issues, same-sex partnership issues, racial/diversity issues, etc.
On Sunday, close to 70 percent of young Polish voters (18 - 29 years) voted compared to less than half in 2019 and of those voters only 14 percent voted the "traditional PiS rule candidates!” The largest portion voted for the Donald Tusk’s Civic Coalition (KO) and two allied opposition parties who amassed enough seats to claim victory, and who also and more importantly promised to, roll back extremely severe abortion laws and same-sex partnership restrictions!
I'm just so wowed and happy for the people of Poland! This is such a big win for the forces of democracy and the power of love and justice over division and hatred. Right now I just have John Lennon singing "All you need is love" going through my head and I feel uplifted and optimistic by the whole seemingly unlikely turn of events. The underdogs won and had only the advantage of a positive message of justice, love and inclusion against the ugliness and corruption of autocracy. Poland has hope and a bright future of democratic resurgence that respects individual rights and liberties while reintegrating with its neighboring western liberal democracies in Europe to look forward to.
In addition, this has been an eff U to Putinism with in the broader context of rising authoritarianism around the world.
Lastly, many observers believe (myself included) the same sort of phenomenon is brewing right here in the United States!
A reason for hope, but only one of many battles in this long war, not just in Poland but worldwide. Law and Justice will not give up. They have money and an entrenched power structure both inside and out of Poland. Watch for the L & J propaganda and misinformation to come, which, along with real challenges regarding the Ukraine-Russian conflict, energy and food prices, migration and whatever else, will require astute and mature governing and effective communication on the part of Tusk and his allies in order to be countered.
In Poland, Unity and Optimism Prevailed Over Autocracy
Love works! If we can keep the truth of love growing, we can win! Keeping a Cool Head and Warm Heart During a Crisis | Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-pacific-heart/202310/keeping-a-cool-head-and-warm-heart-during-a-crisis
"Most of Europe is becoming more and more nationalistic, antisemitic, and racist," says Kwiatkowski. Really? That seems like a very broad statement to make about a very broad geographic area. I know the trends and election results from various European locales, but this still seems overly simplified.
That said, thank you, Ruth, for covering this wonderful victory for all small d democrats!
I remember that Donald Trump was very excited when Brexit passed in the UK. He saw it as foreshadowing for what was to come. It's hard not to hope that the Polish elections were a different foreshadowing, and that the world has grown warier of domination thinking, violence, and control over people because of identity. We'll see if it continues. I was worried, especially given the Slovakia election that things would trend more to the right. I've also been hearing more about the disgust and anger of Israeli's with Bibi brought on by this last week. I find that hopeful as well.
This result is very encouraging.
=]
It was so good to have actual/real good news based on elections moving against authoritarianism and dictatorships.
I, for one, had a "heartfelt" internal celebration that gave me a sliver of hope.
Finally, some encouraging news. Corruption is the Achilles heel of autocracies. People can eventually come to the realization that the autocratic regime does represent their interests but the interests of the regime and its favored cronies.
Bravo Poland!!
Brava Ruth for this article and for all your work carrying the batons for Democracy!!
What could the EU do better when faced with Polands Law and Order as it attacks the institutions of Democracy? Same for Orban in Hungry. What could the EU do counter Lapenne in France and Italy's new fascist PM? What are they doing to counter the conservative/fascist movements? What could we learn from their successes before its too late?
Let us be inspired by the March of a Million Hearts and take note. We, too, can shut the door on anti-democratic leaders, candidates and policies. Vote and drag everyone you know who can vote to exercise their right to vote.
"And Poland was going down the path of unfreedom"
A brilliant phrase!!!
Since the term for suicide or even murder is "unalive/unalived", perhaps the term "unfreedom" should be used to convey the aims,machinationsand goals of authoritarian, dictatorship, and totalitarian movements.
How the young voters propelled Poland forward – lessons for us all
As one headline described Poland, 'No Country for Old Men!' and further described how the young voters helped swing the elections in Poland as the young voters were STILL lined up in the “middle of the night” waiting to vote!! After nearly a decade of Nationalist-Conservative Law & Justice Party (PiS rule), Poland has become increasingly polarized with this year’s campaign being most malicious since the post-1989 era! But the actual and most amazing aspect of this year’s elections was the record voter turnout of 74 percent with turnout among the young voters (18 to 29 years) reaching 68.8%, compared to 46.4% in the previous elections of 2019!
The strategy was to continue to use the traditional PiS rule that maximizes the more well-off, older voters. But there weren’t enough of them this time around!
Some factors did stand out in the Poland elections this time around which “progressive factors” elsewhere can learn from as we are learning in the United States involving Gen Z issues, abortion laws, women's reproductive issues, young mothers’ & childcare payment issues, same-sex partnership issues, racial/diversity issues, etc.
On Sunday, close to 70 percent of young Polish voters (18 - 29 years) voted compared to less than half in 2019 and of those voters only 14 percent voted the "traditional PiS rule candidates!” The largest portion voted for the Donald Tusk’s Civic Coalition (KO) and two allied opposition parties who amassed enough seats to claim victory, and who also and more importantly promised to, roll back extremely severe abortion laws and same-sex partnership restrictions!
I'm just so wowed and happy for the people of Poland! This is such a big win for the forces of democracy and the power of love and justice over division and hatred. Right now I just have John Lennon singing "All you need is love" going through my head and I feel uplifted and optimistic by the whole seemingly unlikely turn of events. The underdogs won and had only the advantage of a positive message of justice, love and inclusion against the ugliness and corruption of autocracy. Poland has hope and a bright future of democratic resurgence that respects individual rights and liberties while reintegrating with its neighboring western liberal democracies in Europe to look forward to.
In addition, this has been an eff U to Putinism with in the broader context of rising authoritarianism around the world.
Lastly, many observers believe (myself included) the same sort of phenomenon is brewing right here in the United States!
Chalk one up for the good guys! They set a shining example of what we can accomplish. The tide is rolling towards freedom.
Poland’s results give me hope for the US in 2024.
A reason for hope, but only one of many battles in this long war, not just in Poland but worldwide. Law and Justice will not give up. They have money and an entrenched power structure both inside and out of Poland. Watch for the L & J propaganda and misinformation to come, which, along with real challenges regarding the Ukraine-Russian conflict, energy and food prices, migration and whatever else, will require astute and mature governing and effective communication on the part of Tusk and his allies in order to be countered.