Poland: Post-Election Disappointment
November 2005 • Poland

Disappointment. According to Roma Zygmunt, editorial journalist of "Press", the political magazine, this is the most fitting term for describing the public sentiment following Poland's parliamentary and presidential elections.
Disappointment amongst all those who did vote, but also a strong sense of disappointment about the campaigns, and, in particular, about the low voter turn-out, the results of the election and its consequences for the new government.
Most politically aware Polish citizens knew in advance that real political change was not to be expected after the parliamentary elections. The idea that all Polish politicians are equally inefficient was too prevalent amongst the general public. However, the fact that only about 40% of all Polish citizens exercised their voting right not only represents the lowest figure since the introduction of democracy in 1989; it also appears to be a strong sign of protest against current politics. With 27% for the Law and Justice party and 24% for the Civic Platform, these elections constitute a fundamental change for the majority of Polish citizens.
While there was still reason to hope that these two parties would change things for the better in a coalition, this hope has been dashed by simultaneous campaigns for the presidential elections: the candidates of both coalition partners, Lech Kaczynski (Law and Justice Party) and Donald Tusk (Civic Platform) scored in the first round of the presidential elections.
The campaigns for the second ballot took place on October 9 and were very heated.
Both parties put the blame on each other, unfair methods and empty promises characterized the arguments. Strikingly, the Civic Platform obviously did not learn anything from earlier elections, and did not impose any boundaries on the Law and Justice party under Lech Kaczynski.
To the last day, they believed in their victory. This was, after all, the result of all opinion polls, which unanimously predicted a clear victory for Donald Tusk over Lech Kaczynski. On Election Day, however, things looked different: Kaczynski won. And not only did he win: with a result of 54% against 46%, Tusk was virtually outclassed.
Thus, the election predictions were a big disappointment. Never before had the polls been as inaccurate as for these elections.
Voter turn-out, just below 50%, did not present a reason for celebration either. The two elections this fall have shown that lies of politicians do not lead to consequences in democratic movements, either, and that Poland tends to pursue confrontation rather than cooperation. This is particularly obvious regarding matters of international affairs and the urgently needed reforms; in these domains, national populism won over cosmopolitan, progressive thinking. During the elections, Poland allowed the Law and Justice Party to change the word "liberal" into a swear-word directed against European politics.
The stirring up of minority feelings and the argument from an alleged menace to Poland coming from its neighbors, vociferously assisted by Kaczynski, was appealing mostly to people living in rural areas and to the poorest of the poor living in small towns.
On the other hand, an optimist might say that about a quarter of all Polish citizens want fundamental reforms, economic renewal and progress instead of empty promises. In a democracy, however, this is not enough. Donald Tusk and his Civic Platform, however, have gambled away their chance at winning the presidential elections: their behavior during the coalition talks, which took place at the time of the presidential election campaign, was anything but a promising for the future.
Thus, these elections – just like so many before – turned into another disappointment for all those dreaming of a mature state.
After 16 years of democracy, Polish voters have not become much smarter.
The fact that a large number of countries are struggling with the very same problem both in Europe and worldwide may be comforting. However, it is no reason for celebration.