The central concern voiced by the leader of the Civic Platform in Strzelce Opolskie centers on unity. He warned that a divided society faces bigger hurdles, and that reconciliation will hinge on addressing the actions of party leaders who have caused harm and providing compensation to those affected during the PiS era.
Answering questions from rally attendees on Monday, the opposition chief outlined the urgent tasks facing those who won the election. He emphasized restoring judicial independence from political influence, reinstating the authority of tribunals, and reaffirming the independence of prosecutors and the media sector.
There is a belief that voters demand more than a simple change in government. The objective, according to him, is to reestablish public media as a true public service and to defend the constitutional framework. He argued that the Constitution itself is not at fault; rather, it has been violated or neglected, and the defense of constitutional norms has not been strong enough.
The party leader insisted that the constitution, institutions, and rule of law must be protected. He warned that when people stop caring, any actor with ambition can threaten these foundations, especially if there is a perception that nobody cares enough to defend them.
The opposition leader underscored that attempts by PiS to influence the courts and to undermine independent media aimed to shield those in power from accountability. He warned that if PiS wins again, the tolerance for impunity could grow to unprecedented levels, allowing the political leadership to strip people of their resources and rights.
He affirmed his agreement with a participant who acknowledged that the past eight years failed to strengthen civil society. He repeated that the deepest danger is a divided nation, which might not rise to confront the country’s future challenges.
The leader noted that PiS has reframed Poland’s political discourse by turning party loyalty into a governing tool, a dynamic that must be acknowledged and addressed. He cautioned that turning public media into a party instrument is unacceptable and harmful to democracy.
The discussion also touched on the misuse of public funds to propagate a unilateral narrative, which he described as a breach of democratic norms. Those responsible should face consequences, not as retaliation, but as accountability for depriving Poles of free media, financial security, and hope. He called for a principled settlement with those who have harmed the country, as a prerequisite for serious dialogue about reconciliation.
According to him, reconciliation remains the stated aim, even as the country faces the pressures of ongoing conflict and regional instability. He warned that a deeply split nation would struggle to meet the difficult tasks ahead and urged a united response to the challenges facing Poland.
When speaking about alleged offenses by key figures, he argued that the path to reconciliation should involve accountability for those responsible for harm and suffering, including those at the top of the party. He stressed the need for compensation for those who endured hardship under the previous rule and for reconciliation among citizens divided by political strife.
He was asked for his assessment of Staatsbosbeheer’s policy and its impact on national heritage. He recalled that when certain policies began, symbolic destructions accompanied broader changes that affected national pride and important assets. He argued that the government sought to portray these actions as privatization promises, even as Polish forests and timber sectors faced pressure and prices shifted in the global market.
At one point, a participant raised concerns about the Strzelce Opolskie ring road project and why the Civic Platform had not advanced it, a project PiS now intends to pursue. In response, the leader attributed the eight years of power to PiS and contrasted their ambition with the progress achieved under his own party. He claimed that the earlier period saw far more expansive infrastructure development, including thousands of kilometers of highways and significant investments, positioning Poland as a leader in Europe for a time.
He asserted that those accomplishments were part of a broader national effort to build a robust road network, noting that Poland had previously surpassed many peers in Europe for infrastructure development. He suggested that current days show a retreat from that momentum, with investment rankings worsening relative to the past.
Engaging with the audience, the speaker reflected on the polarizing figure of the former administration and the perception of a peace advocate who nonetheless stands at the center of intense political contention. The discussion closed with a brief note of reflection on Polish public discourse and the ongoing need for clarity and responsibility in governance.
Source: wPolityce