The crushing defeat of Poland's left leaning parties is being hailed by the right as the start of a 'new republic,' which would make this republic the fourth in Polish History.
However, given the explosive nature of Polish politics and the fragmentary nature of its political parties, on top of the volatile, growing rift between social values and economic progress, can we expect that this 'fourth republic' will last? Rather than signaling the start of a new era in Poland, many are saying this is mearly the end of the current epoch... what comes next remains to be seen.
Most telling of future political uncertainties is the fact that the two winning parties are both 'centre-right' and yet seem unable to even hint at a meaningful coalition. Part of this is due to the two parties trying to differenciate themselves for the presidential election, which is still to come, but there are serious economic and social issues with no middle ground. Specifically, Tusk's Civic Platform Party and their economic liberalism doesn't mesh with the social welfare goals of the Law and Justice Party. While both goals should be able to thrive with EU money, the execution of either idealology will determine any success.
A Fourth Republic or not, welcome to a Brave New World! |