The article presents a provocateur perspective from a cultural theorist who openly identifies as a Marxist in his biography on Krytyka Polityczna. He celebrates the electoral defeat of a ruling faction, insisting that in the wake of these elections the left must learn to pin down fascist tendencies, arguing that real politics hinges on how the reckoning with PiS is directed through public spectacle.
The Faszoles Ultimately Lost
Even as a mixture of fantasy and satire, the scenario sketched by the author in Krytyka Polityczna reads as a chilling forecast.
Oh, what a relief, this post-election sigh lands everywhere, from conservative dining rooms to urban lofts and even in far-flung corners of Europe. The Faszoles were defeated after two terms that supporters say ravaged the state and social fabric.
The text opens with a Marxist voice from Krytyka Polityczna who sees the post-election moment as a chance to alter a stagnant status quo, potentially moving toward a revolutionary pace.
Staring at Tusk Like Napoleon Anders
The cultural thinker commends the liberal wing of the opposition for its strong civil mobilization and disciplined organizational structures.
Yet caution is advised: while building a broader political front, there is a risk of elevating a personality cult around Tusk and treating him as a grand historical figure. The piece argues that the conservative leader shows reactionary traits and often hedges in the face of right-wing totems, urging others to do the same.
As the author paints it, this critique targets Tusk while accusing him of sensationalizing border issues and distorting the events on the Polish-Belarusian frontier. The narrative suggests that the portrayal of the border guards has been manipulated and that migrants moved to Europe under Lukashenko and Putin are mischaracterized as refugees, with comparisons to historical oppressors deemed inaccurate by many readers.
The critique continues with charges that Tusk pushed for racist election imagery and, out of political expediency, called for EU flags to be folded away in marches under a red-and-white banner. The author also notes controversial choices in candidate lists and public alignments, including support for some figures who have provoked debate within the coalition. When a rival leader attacked a fellow candidate, the piece claims an unsteady stance emerged, with supporters grasping for a Samaritans-like posture in the moment. In short, the portrayal targets liberal urban elites as out of touch with broader public sentiment.
Settlement, But How?
From a cultural theory lens, the Razem party is described as being too courteous or polite in the aftermath of the vote.
An OKO.press interview with a Razem figure is summarized, where the suggested path centers on silencing top-level conflicts and focusing on welfare state expansion. The text frames this as a strategic move aimed at addressing urgent needs for people, while warning that a deeper colonization of public space by right-wing ideas remains an ongoing threat.
Decolonization is presented as essential for building a better country, and conflict is portrayed as an expected and natural outcome within a Marxist framework that sees struggle as foundational to revolutionary momentum. The notion of separating social democracy is raised, and the need to reclaim public media spaces is argued, including a vision for a red-led public broadcasting entity. The suggestion is that the left could reconfigure TVP and reframe its governance, potentially through curation and new public oversight, with radical ideas intended to galvanize mass support.
The piece goes further, imagining the ministry as a red-controlled institution and musing on swift, visible justice for those seen as adversaries of the people. It calls for accountability that reaches into the police and border services, presenting a scenario where the left turns to dramatic, televised accountability as a political instrument. The author imagines a public shift toward direct action and bold reforms, while weighing the risks of overreach and miscalculation in the heat of political battles.
In this scenario, the left would not only mobilize prominent figures but also integrate lesser-known activists into the red ministries, drawing on experiences from civil organizations that monitor social behavior. The goal is to mobilize the mass base through a vivid, high-stakes public theatre of responsibility, rather than relying solely on elite leadership. The text suggests creating a bank of radical solutions and turning public debate into a spectacle that resonates with everyday citizens.
The idea of handing the Ministry of Justice to a red faction is floated, accompanied by a sober reminder of past demonstrations and the people who faced policing and judicial pressure. The author envisions a justice system that confronts state actors who have abused power, and calls for a fierce, uncompromising response that signals a fundamental shift in governance and accountability.
There is a recurring emphasis on organizing and radicalizing the spectacle of responsibility so that it involves not only well-known figures but also ordinary people caught up in the political strains of the time. The piece even suggests drawing on the experiences of activists from groups that study racially biased and xenophobic actions, potentially integrating their insights into the public policy conversation. The tone hints at a radical path forward, with satirical overtones that underscore the intensity of the political moment.
Red Mark
Some readers may dismiss these as the fantasies of a tired insider. Yet the author argues that Poland has never seen such indignation against a ruling bloc after an election. Ignoring this potent anger could be a costly mistake for any winning coalition. As one thinker once observed, politics sometimes requires drilling into hard planks, a metaphor the piece expands into a call to act decisively against fascist elements in the political landscape. The author adds that a feminist critique from historical memory is invoked as a cautionary note about how justice should be pursued and how society should remember the lessons of past misuses of power.
There is a vivid image of red crosses marking houses as a grim reminder of punishment doled out in the name of justice, with a reference to a historical era when the proletariat delivered verdicts. The narrative closes by framing the current political struggle as a long, ongoing contest to redraw the economic and ideological landscape, insisting that the left must set a clear boundary and ensure that any future verdicts are carried out by democratic institutions ready to act decisively and transparently.
The piece leaves readers with a question about the line between aspirational political theater and practical governance. It hints that the dream may belong to a chorus of eight-star advocates for Razem who imagine a sweeping reconstruction of the political order, while acknowledging that the future remains uncertain and open to interpretation.
aja/krykapoliticala.pl
Source: wPolityce