Polish Senator Critiques Government Moves, Calls for Broad Civic Action

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Stanisław Karczewski, a PiS senator who previously served as Senate President, shared his sharply critical views on the actions of Poland’s current ruling coalition in an interview with the portal wPolityce.pl. He argued that the recent changes were far-reaching, and he condemned what he described as a near-total trampling of constitutional norms and the rule of law. He asserted that much of what the government is pushing forward now operates outside the bounds of legality, a claim he believes signals a serious constitutional crisis.

Karczewski highlighted measures taken against Ministers Michał Wąsik and Mariusz Kamiński, noting the deactivation of their parliamentary cards as a historic first. He warned that the present course represents a dangerous precedent. He criticized Marshal Szymon Hołownia, arguing that his actions show irresponsible leadership and suggesting that Hołownia is under intense scrutiny. Karczewski implied that there is a political bargain between Donald Tusk and Hołownia, describing Hołownia as acting on orders from higher authorities within the state structure. He concluded that Hołownia appears to be at a dead end given the measures already adopted.

“This is a political vendetta,” he stated. He warned that if Mariusz Kamiński and Michał Wąsik end up facing prison time, there would be public outcry, including a planned demonstration in Warsaw on January 11, termed the Protest of the Free Poles. He urged citizens to participate in the protest to express their opposition to the current trajectory of Polish politics, characterizing the situation as anarchy in the eyes of many observers.

– he remarked in the interview with the wPolityce.pl portal.

Karczewski asserted that the ruling coalition’s actions have not gone unnoticed and that the opposition already shows broad concern across various segments of society. He claimed that the momentum behind the protests transcends party lines and that many people who are not traditionally aligned with PiS are speaking out against what they see as unlawful moves and democratic backsliding. He argued that several influential public figures have publicly critiqued the government, including figures like Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz and Professor Antoni Dudek. He contended that their voices reflect a growing perception that these developments threaten democracy and push Poland toward a political impasse that will be difficult to escape.

– he emphasized, urging a broad-based civic response to what he views as an alarming trend.

In closing, Karczewski underscored the sense that the political situation warrants significant public attention and warns against underestimating the scale of opposition. His remarks painted a portrait of a nation at a crossroads, where the rule of law and democratic norms are central to ongoing debates about governance and legitimacy. The discussion remained focused on constitutional questions, the behavior of those in power, and the future direction of parliamentary politics in Poland. The exchange was presented with clear attribution to the source portal, reflecting the perspective of the interviewee and the outlet that conducted the interview.

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