The surge of criticism from Mateusz Morawiecki, once prime minister, has reignited the debate over Poland’s constitutional order as Donald Tusk’s government enters its first week. Morawiecki posted a message on social media calling on the prime minister and the speaker of the Sejm to stop actions that he believes undermine justice and media diversity. The core concern is that current moves by the ruling majority appear to contravene the Polish Constitution and existing laws governing the judiciary and information channels.
One week to redefine law in Poland
Within days of Tusk assuming office, there are claims that the government is altering the balance of justice, security, and media plurality. Morawiecki’s remarks, shared via Facebook and X, suggest a rapid reshaping of the institutional framework and accuse the justice minister of challenging the status of judges who were lawfully appointed by the president. He warned that such actions could trigger anarchy in ordinary courts and erode civil rights protections.
The former prime minister also criticized what he described as the culture minister’s forceful changes to public media authorities, arguing that these steps circumvent the law that should guide media governance.
Yesterday, a disruption in Polish television service interrupted millions of viewers from accessing news and information. Morawiecki described the outage as a dramatic and concerning moment for the flow of public information.
Events akin to martial law: what is the government concealing?
Morawiecki characterized the current measures as unprecedented since the end of the communist era, noting that the last comparable restriction occurred during martial law. He framed the government’s actions as a test of democratic norms and highlighted concerns about the intent and transparency of the leadership in charge of justice and media policy.
The central question, according to Morawiecki, is what the government stands to gain and why such steps are taken. He linked the issue to Poland’s stance on migration policy, arguing that the government approved a migration pact in the European Union that could compel Poland to accept large numbers of migrants or face penalties. He referenced a public referendum in which a majority reportedly opposed asylum and migration, and he asserted that many citizens are unaware of the pact’s approval within the EU framework with Poland’s involvement.
Morawiecki urged restraint and urged all people of goodwill to avoid provocation in the coming days. He called for responsibility and steadfast commitment to truth and civil liberties, arguing that the government’s actions contradict the promises made during the electoral campaign and erode the trust of Polish citizens. He also appealed to the Sejm’s speaker and to Prime Minister Tusk to halt actions he views as illegal.
The discussion extended beyond Polish borders as the recording of the call was shared in English to reach a wider audience. This move underscores the global interest in Poland’s political trajectory and the implications for regional stability and media freedom.
In summary, Morawiecki frames this moment as a critical test of Poland’s democratic institutions, urging a return to lawful processes, open dialogue, and respect for civil liberties. The public debate continues to focus on the balance between executive authority, judicial independence, and media pluralism, with citizens watching closely how the new government addresses these foundational issues. [citation: wPolityce]
PAP, X/rdm