In brief
After eight years of rule by the nationalist Law and Justice party, Poland’s new liberal government is striving to restore democratic norms, but finds that reversing populist policy is a slow and complex process.
Poland is at a pivotal point in its political landscape, as the new liberal government grapples with reversing the sweeping changes implemented by the nationalist Law and Justice party, which ruled from 2015 until just over a year ago. The legacy of that administration includes controversial reforms that politicized the judiciary and imposed strict abortion laws, among other policies that have sparked division with the European Union.Adam Bodnar, the justice minister, acknowledged that the process of unwinding these populist policies “takes longer than you expect.” The previous government successfully transformed the legal framework, prioritizing partisan loyalty over democratic norms. In stark contrast to the previous ruling party’s promises of dismantling liberal structures as part of a campaign aimed at “saving” the nation, the current leaders must tread carefully as they navigate the complexities of restoring civil rights and uniting a polarized populace. Bodnar warns that the struggle is not only local but reflects broader regional trends in countries led by right-wing populists, highlighting challenges that future leaders may face as they attempt to reclaim democratic integrity.
