Thoughts inspired by the Poland general election
Don't worry, this isn't a political analysis post about the Polish general election that just finished this weekend. I know nothing about Polish politics, in fact I didn't even know there was a general election until the week before I was due to be in Poland. This post is about a few random thoughts and observations inspired by the election.
In the week prior to the election I was in Warsaw. Everything seemed pretty normal and quiet and I couldn't see much canvassing going on. There were some random candidates` posters around but you wouldn't notice them unless you're a voter (or maybe some voters don't even care). By contrast, in some countries, I've seen posters and banners all over the city every ten steps in the week coming up to the general election. In Taiwan, you'd think it's a carnival. The pre election vibe in Poland seemed so calm.
One afternoon in Warsaw, I was by the monument that commemorate the victims of the Smolensk Tragedy. (In 2010 a Polish plane crashed in Smolensk in Russia killing all 96 on board. The dead included the Polish President at that time Lech Kaczynski and his wife, and many senior government and military officials and politicians.) Suddenly, I saw a group of people run towards the monument. It was a group of protesters.
A few held a big banner and stood by the monument. Others ran towards the monument, and stuck leaflets on it. I notice the protesters were all quite middle aged, very different from the young activists we often see in UK such as Stop the Oil who go round disrupting innocent people's daily lifes.
Within minutes the police came out of nowhere and lined themselves in front of the monument. They protesters still tried to stick the leaflets onto the monument but it became a little more difficult with the police in the way.
I have to stress, at no time did the police use any force or try to fend off the protestors. They just stood there guarding the monument.
I didn't know what the protest was about so sent an image to my trusted Polish friend aka The Wizard who told me they were protesting against the current government.
The anti government protest reminded me of that in Hong Kong from 2019. An uprising movement that pretty much bought the city to a standstill for months, till the authorities used all means to silence citizens and throw people in jail just because they could.
In fact just before the protest happened here, I was looking at an exhibition called Home. You can see the exhibits on display on the right hand side of the image below.
At that exact moment, I was looking at an entry from Hong Kong, by an anonymous called No Name. He/she can't use his/her real name because just by expressing his/her view, he/she could be prosecuted under the Hong Kong National Security law for criticizing the government. This is what could happen to protesters in Hong Kong, and to the over 1000 political prisoners, many who are still awaiting trial after two years.
A couple of days ago @evelynchacin wrote about her experience in the Polish elections. She's a Venezuelan married to a Polish guy so has no voting rights (yet?). What surprised me was that she was allowed to accompany her husband to the polling station, including the voting booth.
That's very different from the UK where only the voters are allowed in the polling station and no photography is allowed. This is to protect voters so they can't be influenced by others to vote for a particular candidate. It is not unheard of, in say Hong Kong who continues to conduct "democratic elections" which they loosely inherited from the British colonial days, where political party agents takes coach loads of geriatrics, often from old peoples home out for a day with dinner on the election days. One of the events of the day is to stop by the polling station. The agents will write the candidates number on the back of the old persons hand and remind them to tick that particular number on the voting sheet. Imagine what would happen if the agents were allowed in the polling station!
At the time of writing, it is confirmed that the current ruling party in Poland PiS has the most votes, but not enough for a majority and is unlikely to be able to form a coalition government with other parties. That means that next largest party, the pro European Civic Coalition led by the previous prime minister Donald Tusk will very likely form a new coalition government. It will be interesting to see where that will take Poland in the next few years. Only good I hope.
By the way, I've been following the news these few days, and everytime I hear the name Donald Tusk, I think I hear Donald Trump. Wouldn't that be a disaster if history repeats itself in the American election next year (I make no apologies to any of my American friends who happens to be Republican 🙃).
Talking of general elections, it seems it will be a busy year in 2024. Of course, the one closest to my heart is that in Taiwan on 13th January. The successful future of Taiwan hinges on the incumbent DPP staying in Power. The current President Tsai Ing-Wen has served her two terms already and I think there are good succession plans in place to secure a third term for the party. All we need is for the nation to be mindful of the consequences should the pro China KMT win. I know there are still some in Taiwan who can't see the danger looming ahead should that happen.
This post has gone on a little longer than expected, and I've probably pissed off a few people on the way. Oh well! That's how free speech works and I can't always please everyone 😉
Have a great day everyone!
With the world in it's current state I sometimes think we should be talking more to each other, life in our global village is not as harmonious as it once was!
Thanks for explaining this unusual event and other events you have experienced!
@tipu curate
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I agree, compare to the early days the community back then seemed to be a lot more active, but I think now those that still remain have a much closer bond with eachother
Politics are such a strange thing. I never really understand it, but alas we live in such times. It is so interesting what you wrote. Reading from an outsider perspective, not being well versed in either European or American politics, nor Asian politics, it is really interesting to relate it back to my own country’s politics. Also based on I think European or English style politics (not 100% sure), the banners lining the streets is always a funny thing to see. We have big elections next year again in South Africa, so everyone is in a strange space regarding what will happen. Anyways, thanks for sharing!
From my limited knowledge, South Africa politics has gone through a few decades of turbulent times. I remember the anti apartheid movement and how people boycotted businesses in UK that were operating in South Africa then. What a different world.
Hopefully the general election next year will be a peaceful event.
What a different world indeed, especially after all the turmoil in geopolitics today as well.
Yes! Thank you so much. I am so scared after seeing so many other countries going into civil wars because of the ruling power being dethroned. Hopefully we can keep it peaceful here if that happens next year.
Today's world is in chaos and many want to cover the sun with a finger. Something is heating up and may soon explode like a pressure cooker whose release valve has been clogged. Yes, it sounds pessimistic; but, politicians are a disaster, they distort their functions and enrich themselves from the naivety of the people who voted for them.
I am glad you clarified that the police behaved up to the task and did not use “brute force” to repel the demonstration -respect to the fallen-.
That's quite a good analogy. The pressure is gradually releasing already as can be seen in recent weeks
Wow, sounds a bit like you were part of history there with the protest happening. Even if it wasn't that big or eventful. I think I kind of remember that plane crash. It was long enough ago that it is just on the edge of my memory, but not long enough that I have totally forgotten about it!
I wasn't aware of that sad incident. And that's why I enjoy traveling, you can learn so much
I still don't know much about politics in Poland (except that I accompanied my Polish husband to vote and saw how the voting process works) but the protest you mentioned from Hong Kong reminded me of my country Venezuela, I guess you heard about those terrible times of protest in Venezuela where many young people died and also several were imprisoned, very different from what you saw in Warsaw that they didn't use force (I'm surprised).
Politics in these times is ..... a disaster? I only wish the best for Poland, for Venezuela and for the whole world.
The situation sounds quite similar to Hong Kong, I hope those youngsters in Venezuela didn't die for nothing and things will improve
I am really looking forward to it too!
I remember everything that happened in Hong Kong and how the place that was the freest place in the world was shackled. There are a lot of risks. The world is constantly turning around, I am from Venezuela and I constantly reflect on what has happened and how at the time I was born there was something that could take us to the future through elections. The harmonious expression of the people, that is what is expected from these processes. I believe and also hope that Taiwan chooses the right path.
Elections in each country have a different kind of legality, but what makes them vital is their way of doing the will of the people.
Best regards to you.
I haven't been following the Venezuela politics but I know it used to be a very wealthy country and it's really unfortunate that the economy has now taken such a big turn.
Democratic elections won't get a country out of troubles immediately, but the lack of it definitely means there is zero chance of any change as can seen from many communist countries. I hope things will improve in Venezuela
I don't get political at all but still do cast the vote for who I believe is the lesser evil. I just can't stand completely for the left or right side. It's just not about the President here for me. I look a little deeper on representatives, senators and even down to the local positions too.
It would be insane to have just about anybody at the polling stations. It would really defeat the purpose to even vote under such unprivate conditions. Definitely don't need the Mob there, haha.
Sadly, often that's how people end up having to vote, the lesser of the evil as it's so difficult to find a good politician. Your approach is very thorough and I'm sure in the process you get to learn a lot more about how the parties contribute to the country and state. Lot's of work for you to do in the coming year!
It's interesting how the atmosphere leading up to the Polish general election seemed so calm compared to the lively campaigning in some other countries
Which other countries have you seen the difference and whats the atmosphere like there?
Nigeria, the weather 8s very unpredictable these days
What a random response totally irrelevant to my post
You were asking a question about the atmosphere and that was why I replied.. I'm sorry if I didn't answer that correctly
Your insightful reflection on the recent Polish general election provides a nuanced perspective on the political climate and contrasts in various regions. Your astute observations of the protests and election procedures highlight the diverse approaches to democracy across different countries. Additionally, your mention of upcoming elections, including the one in Taiwan, underscores the significance of political transitions in shaping the future. Your candid and thought-provoking account is a testament to the power of free speech and the importance of critical engagement in the democratic process. Thank you for sharing your valuable insights @livinguktaiwan
It's very impressive that within two minutes of your last comment, you read my 1000 word post which takes 6 minutes to read, processed the content, generated your thoughts and wrote nearly 100 words response.
yes, I was reading a few articles for a long time that day, and prepared comments, but some of them were not published due to bad internet and I pressed the button later again. and therefore maybe it must have coincided, that there was a very small period of time🤷🏻♀️
I have zero interest when it comes to political shenanigans, and maybe this is due to the way politics is in my country. Just like this that you stated;
However, in my country, protesters are most times wounded, and some die in the process.
The time for the election here is like having to go to war. You don't know what to expect until it is fully over.
It's so unfortunate that an election becomes a blood bath in your country. Hopefully one day there will be a candidate who can make real changes to Nigeria for the better and will earn your vote. The future of a country can only improve with the collective effort of the next generation and hopefully you will be part of that.
It is quite sad and unfortunate, which is why I have never voted. I once did my voters card in 2017, which happened because I was close to our institution president then. But I never used the card, and it has expired. And I am not planning on renewal.
I do hope, though , the word hope seems like a farfetched word because corruption has bitten deeply into every area of the country.
Vote doesn't count. Whoever they want to be the next president will be no matter what.
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Interesting article!
How else can they bring that cause to our attention?
And we might not like it but we're far from "innocent" 😉
None of us are innocent, that's true.
But I truly believe there are ways to get the message across without being selfish. There are many people who need to commute on the M25 for work and emergencies, and many who may have spent a fortune coming into London to treat themselves out to a well deserved night out to the theatre.
Those actions will probably get people's attention but I doubt it will get much sympathy or consensus.
The whole voting and election thing is largely a bunch of crap these days. Nationally it’s a joke and will never do much of anything except allow a pre-selected candidate to win. There’s a reason that Ron Paul was never allowed to get far, because he was the only true candidate that wasn’t part of the uniparty group of psychopaths, current administration included.
One thing I like about Poland right now is that they are not letting in the massive swaths of military aged men into their country, unlike numerous other countries around the world mine included. These are not “asylum” seekers but disrupters and god only knows what the plan for these gigantic groups of people will be. Things seem to be popping off left and right of late, with the military weapons people foaming at the mouth thinking how much money they can make off funding both sides of the various conflicts.
I think that truly these are the death throes of these old class political elites and in the direction of better and more decentralized options. That’s what allows me to sleep at night instead of the fear of the rest of the BS lol.
We get a lot of 'asylum' seekers in the UK as well, but funny enough they all seem to be young strong men from third world developing countries.🤔
I read the 'new' government in Poland seems to take an opposite stance on immigration from the incumbent, interesting times ahead