During a television program in Poland, Professor Mieczysław Ryba, a political scientist and historian at the Catholic University of Lublin, criticized PSL’s coalition stance and questioned the reputations of Third Way, Hołownia, and Donald Tusk. He argued that the coalition projects a fragmented image, especially when reflecting on how the party relates to the anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw.
Ryba also commented on a proposal from the head of the Ministry of National Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who has suggested a draft law focused on patriotic education.
He urged viewers to observe developments in schools. He contended that if Mrs. Nowacka leads education, religious instruction could be diminished and the patriotic message weakened. This, he argued, clashes with PSL’s self-description as a patriotic people’s party. He described the coalition’s line as inconsistent and suggested PSL has aligned with coalition actions in a way that does not match its stated values.
Ryba added that PSL’s weak polling could be tied to its association with Donald Tusk. He stressed that the coalition’s negative image affects PSL beyond its own internal dynamics. He pointed out that the agricultural policy program and the Green Deal positions from Szymon Hołownia and PSL reveal contradictions across many issues. He suggested PSL was reluctant to align with Law and Justice due to fears of political collapse, and that choosing to align with Tusk proved more damaging. The party now faces a hard position where it cannot easily stand out in presidential ballots, and parliamentary elections loom ahead. Kosiniak-Kamysz is reportedly facing pressure and appears to be operating within a coalition framework with limited resistance.
— that was his assessment.
Anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw
Ryba was asked about the importance of the Battle of Warsaw for Europe as a whole. He recalled the historic moment when the advance of communism toward the west faced a decisive setback. He described communism as a force that presented itself as revolutionary, with the potential to reshape the continent. The stopping of Bolshevik forces is portrayed as a turning point shaping European destiny. He stressed that two dimensions mattered most: the military clashes between Poland and Russia and the ideological struggle against a harsh, brutal ideology that had spread into Russia. He framed halting that ideology as critical for protecting the free world and for Western defenses against barbarism.
Ryba noted that Poland defended the West from threats and that this struggle carried fundamental significance for the wider world. He highlighted several factors that contributed to Poland’s victory in 1920. He pointed to strong social mobilization after earlier defeats and a broad national effort. The church played a vital role in boosting morale and resonating with popular sentiment. Bolshevik slogans about liberating oppressed classes were countered by religious elements that reinforced resolve. He also praised the tactical planning and heroic attitudes of Polish soldiers, arguing that all these elements together produced a substantial victory at a pivotal moment after the end of the First World War when the desire for peace was widespread.
Ryba argued that national unity was essential to that victory, noting that the government of national unity included Prime Minister Witos, peasants as the core of the Polish army, and socialist factions from the PPS. These groups joined the government and stood in opposition to Bolshevik revolutionaries, while still being patriotic. He described the period as a true moment of national and social unity in times of extreme danger. He drew a parallel to the current conflict in Ukraine, suggesting that without such unity, Poland could not defend itself regardless of military strength.
He concluded that unity was the decisive force that sustained Poland during that historical crisis.
Readers are invited to consider discussions on wartime commemorations, including ceremonies around the Polish Army Day, with leadership updates and commemorative reports. The conversation emphasized how patriotic policy and national remembrance intersect with contemporary political narratives and national resilience.
In reflecting on broader implications, the discussion underscored how political alignment and public memory shape a country’s sense of identity and its approach to national defense. The talk highlighted the delicate balance between tradition, education, and political strategy in the nation’s ongoing public life.