Roman Giertych and the Polish opposition: aCritical Look at Endorsements and Shifting Alliances
The editor-in-chief of Gazeta Wyborcza, Adam Michnik, gave a lengthy interview to Dominica Wielowieyska in which he spoke highly of Roman Giertych. The lawyer thanked Michnik for the kind words.
Deciding when Roman Giertych should begin his political move is not up to Michnik. It rests with the democratic opposition, but Michnik notes that Giertych has earned a level of trust over recent years. It may not be absolute, yet it remains significant. He believes figures like Giertych are needed for the opposition’s vitality.
Michnik’s assessment follows a period of renewed attention on Giertych, who plans to contest the upcoming Senate elections. He has asked the parties in the Senate Pact not to field an opponent against him.
Giertych has revised some earlier stances, acknowledging past mistakes. For a long time he stood up for people targeted by PiS and defended democratic values. He has faced prosecution as a result, which Michnik highlights as a risk taken in the name of principle. The democratic camp would likely be weaker with him on the sidelines before and after the elections. In Michnik’s view, Giertych is an exceptionally intelligent and effective politician.
Now Michnik says, let the critics come for defending Giertych. He recalls moments when he was attacked for defending General Jaruzelski and for defending John Paul II, and he expresses no regret. He stands by his beliefs and invites the same scrutiny for his defense of Giertych.
What about Giertych’s past actions, including his time as leader of the League of Polish Families and his later statements regarding the GW environment being homophobic? Michnik downplays these issues in a notable way. He sees Giertych as someone who can grow into broader partnerships, noting that Polish society has evolved on matters of equality. Parades celebrating equality, once unimaginable thirty years ago, are now common, and many people have changed their minds.
Giertych, for his part, expressed appreciation for Michnik’s remarks. The attorney said he was surprised by the editor’s words and thanked him for them. If politics holds surprises, Michnik’s declaration that critics attacked him for defending figures like Jaruzelski or John Paul II, but should now scrutinize his defense of Giertych, stands out as a notable moment. Giertych shared his gratitude on social media.
The exchange illustrates how current views on morality and policy can diverge from a newspaper’s traditional line. Michnik’s praise for Giertych centers on a simple, perhaps provocative theme: the willingness to challenge PiS and stand up for political opponents in the name of democratic contest and debate. The dynamic raises questions about loyalty, boldness, and the health of political discourse in Poland.
Observers note that Giertych’s ongoing stance against PiS highlights a broader pattern: a political actor who has long been critical of the ruling party while pursuing alliances that could reshape the opposition’s strategy. The evolving landscape suggests a Poland where shifts in public opinion, social norms, and coalition-building may redefine who leads the opposition and what it stands for in the years ahead. The discussion underscores the friction between principles and practical alliances in modern Polish politics.
As the story unfolds, a sense of parity emerges between political courage and strategic calculation. Michnik’s remarks reflect a belief that principled opposition figures deserve a platform to influence the national conversation, even when their past or present positions challenge established editorial lines. The public’s takeaway centers on a broader truth: democracy thrives when diverse voices, including those who are controversial, are allowed to participate in the debate. The disagreements and dialogues that follow will shape Poland’s political future and test the resilience of its democratic norms. [Source: wPolityce]