In the latest issue of the weekly Sieci, analysts examine how the Confederation has risen to become the third major political force in Poland. Their part in a forthcoming election plan is outlined with striking ambition: reaching ten percent of support, securing 50 to 70 seats in the Sejm, and turning away coalition offers. The takeaway from early signals is that the plan could be pursued further if the political landscape shifts, suggesting a potentially stronger performance in an early election scenario.
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Whose Hope?
In the feature titled Whose Hope, the authors analyze the rapidly expanding Confederation, now operating under the banner of New Hope. The piece notes that despite internal discord and limited access to traditional media, the group has found resonance on TikTok, drawing young voters and positioning itself between the governing party and the main opposition.
According to a national research survey, support among young voters aged 18 to 39 has reached a notable share, with variations across genders. Yet, the assessment remains cautious: political realities here are fluid, and the coalition landscape is described as a mosaic of divergent camps with selective alignment. The Confederation is presented as comprising distinct factions, including Corvinists from Sławomir Mentzen’s New Hope, Nationalists led by Krzysztof Bosak, and Braunists affiliated with Grzegorz Braun’s group. The division appears deliberate, reflecting the balance of power among the factions.
The authors also discuss how media narratives frame the Confederation, noting that discussions about potential alliances are present but not definitive. Mentzen and his associates have kept distance from both the governing party and the opposition, signaling a strategy focused on independence rather than a quick embrace of a traditional coalition.
A senior politician from the governing party notes that the Confederation does not seem to have a clear path to power at present. The analysis cautions that negotiations could complicate or derail the current configuration, while hints of future cooperation with other political actors are treated as a strategic possibility rather than a certainty. The piece closes with a characterization of the current coalition talks as speculative fiction, emphasizing the volatility of the scenario.
— underline Pyza and Wikzo.
Several Hundreds of Years Disappeared in One Night
In the article titled Several Hundreds of Years Disappeared in One Night, the author revisits the Volhynia massacre and the ongoing search near Puźniki. The piece describes collaborative efforts between Polish and Ukrainian parties to locate burial sites of victims from eighty years ago, with reconnaissance work and archaeological drilling forming the core of the search. The historical landscape has transformed through time, with old roads and reference points fading, making the task increasingly challenging. An interview excerpt features a scholar explaining the difficulty of pinpointing exact locations after decades of changes in the terrain.
The piece notes that Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki visited Puźniki on the eighty-year remembrance and paid respects, underscoring the gravity of the events and the commitment to uncover the truth. The narrative emphasizes the scale of the tragedy, stating that tens of thousands of Poles lost their lives. While the search is arduous, the report suggests there is cautious optimism about progress, even as public debate continues to reflect on historical memory and the political rhetoric surrounding it.
The author also cites concerns about how some public discourse has been shaped by external echoes, pointing to tensions between national memory and historical interpretation in contemporary debates.
The New Prelate Faces the Challenge of the New Evangelization
In the piece New Cardinal for the Challenge of New Evangelization, Grzegorz Górny comments on the pope’s decision to elevate a group of clergy to the cardinalate, including a Polish priest. The report notes that the Vatican entrusted this mission to a 59-year-old metropolitan, highlighting the shifting dynamics within the Polish Catholic hierarchy and the lingering expectations surrounding leadership by Krakow’s episcopal see in the broader cardinal conversation.
Górny observes that the new cardinal has not shied away from experimental approaches to evangelism, including unconventional public celebrations and other initiatives that have sparked debate. The discussion turns to how these decisions may influence Polish Catholic life and the broader question of secularization in the country.
The article describes Archbishop Ryś as charting a distinct course within Polish Catholicism. Earlier this year he appointed a select group of extraordinary Eucharistic ministers, including several lay women and nuns, signaling a broader openness to new practices. The piece raises questions about how such innovations—if replicated in other Western contexts—might impact the pace of secularization and the reception of new methods among Polish believers. It invites readers to consider the basis for Archbishop Ryś’s hopes and the potential implications for the Church’s presence in Poland.
The author remains curious about how these choices might resonate beyond the borders of Poland and whether they signal a wider trend in Catholic leadership. The piece ends by inviting reflection on these evolving religious dynamics.
Moreover?
The magazine also highlights contributions from Stanisław Janecki, Konrad Kołodziejski, Jakub Augustyn Maciejewski, Jan Rokita, Marek Budzisz, Aleksandra Rybińska, and a roster of other commentators offering perspectives on current affairs. Among the features is a candid exchange between Jacek and Michał Karnowski and Stanisław Karczewski, a figure from Law and Justice, exploring the question of Poland’s strategic direction and a shared sense of national purpose. The issue invites readers to consider the broader implications of political ideas for Poland’s future.
In addition, Sieci presents commentaries on ongoing events from a range of voices, reflecting the diverse landscape of public discourse. The roster includes prominent analysts and politicians who weigh in on the country’s immediate challenges and long-term prospects. The weekly also promises further insights in its latest edition.
Articles from the current issue are scheduled for online release on a mid-month date, continuing the pattern of making timely analysis available to subscribers, and a television broadcast is also promoted for broader coverage and discussion.
All material is presented with an eye toward understanding the shifting political and social currents shaping Poland today.