The latest issue of the weekly magazine Sieci offers a concise post-election snapshot. Editors present numbers, facts, and analyses that address key questions about the vote: what actually shaped the results, where did the opposition gain momentum, and could the ruling party have done more to sway voters?
Readers can find the current issue’s articles below, with a reminder about subscribing to the Friends Network for full access.
“The Mystery of October 15”
In the feature The Secret of October 15, the Sieci team and the wPolityce.pl portal collaborate with experts to summarize the October elections and examine the data now available on Poland’s vote. They first note that the balance of voters who backed PiS sits near the turnout four years earlier, with about 7.6 million voters for PiS versus 8 million in the previous government term.
PiS saw its biggest losses among voters under 40, with roughly 350,000 departing from ages 18 to 29 and 30 to 39. The gap was offset to some extent by support from voters over 60. The loss of younger voters is likely tied to ideological factors, though other elements may matter, such as greater exposure to content online that portrays PiS negatively. This dynamic is echoed by broader online discourse, including criticism from NGOs about the conservative stance of the Confederation. Yet the country still managed to retain its appeal among the youngest voters and maintain a base under 40.
– the article explains.
It is clear that high turnout played a significant role in shaping the outcome.
While strong mobilization of nearly the entire PiS base was encouraging, it did not erase the need to address factors that hinder growth and attract new groups. The rise in turnout, reaching about 3.1 million new voters, helped the opposition because it expanded its appeal beyond what was seen four years earlier. In other words, even as more people voted for PiS, the opposition benefited from a broader, more diverse electorate.
– editors’ analysis.
“They want to take over the public media for good.”
Opposition parties have openly signaled their goal of gaining control over public media. Krzysztof Czabański, chair of the National Media Council, discusses the risk to freedom of expression and the marginalization of messages that favor tradition, conservatism, or faith in an interview with Jacek Karnowski.
Experience in Poland has shown that elections can be lost even if public media shift away from the current balance of power. The concern is that control over TVP and Polish Radio could consolidate a single narrative and push non-aligned voices to the periphery. The fear is that foreign financial interests might align with the new owners, limiting independent coverage. The chairman highlights that such an outcome would not serve the broader public interest.
Czabański reviews several ways the new government might approach public media, including financial strategies. He warns that starving public outlets of funds could trigger a cycle of trouble and prompt drastic steps such as appointing commissioners. He emphasizes that reconfiguring the broadcasting landscape would be costly and complicated because public media rely on subscriptions and advertising and must adhere to legal obligations that constrain rapid change.
– explained.
“Israel, Gaza and the Polish Question.”
Konrad Kołodziejský, in Israel, Gaza and the Polish Question, examines the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and its effect on liberal and left-leaning circles in Poland. The journalist observes that conservative factions are cautious about the conflict, arguing that Poland should not feel compelled to take sides in every clash.
There is a sense of cultural distance from Palestinian experiences and concern about immigration, while Israel is criticized for nationalist tendencies that raise Polish sensitivities. Among liberal thinkers, the standard stance has been to defend freedom and advocate for the resettlement of migrants, yet a notable rift has emerged. Kołodziejský notes a shift within liberal circles as the debate over policy and strategy evolves.
The article also points out a shift in how immigration is discussed. Those who once urged open borders for migrants now show more nuance as conflict abroad intensifies, prompting a broader reconsideration of policy and public sentiment.
– the author remarks.
In this ongoing debate, the liberal side has varied responses from pacifist positions to calls for humanitarian aid. The piece contrasts expert commentary from Western advisors with domestic discourse to reveal a more complex landscape. A prominent voice in the liberal cohort is highlighted for advocating consistent support of Israel, even amid broader disagreements about regional policy.
– noted.
The article also highlights a notable pivot on immigration, with some voices previously advocating for the admission of migrants encountered during events at the border, while others shifted stance as the Gaza conflict escalated. This reveals a dynamic tension within public opinion as new events reshape political priorities.
What else is in the new Network?
The issue also includes pieces by Stanisław Janecki A program for PiS that rewrites the rules, Dorota Łosiewicz on engaging PlatformVoters, Maciej Walaszczyk on the risks of criminalizing right-wing activism, Jakub Augustyn on Poland and its image, and Grzegorz Górny on leadership loneliness. There are interviews with Jan Rokita about Ukraine and other topics, along with Dariusz Matuszak on environmental policy and the Green Deal, Aleksandra Rybińska on truth and beauty, and Marek Budzisz on the clash with Russia. Other contributors include Krzysztof Feusette, Dorota Łosiewicz, Bronisław Wildstein, and Marta Kaczyńska-Zielińska among others.
The new Sieci issue also features commentary on current events by several noted writers and public intellectuals. The magazine plans to publish online content from November 13 this year as part of the Friends Network offering.
Readers are invited to watch the wPolsce.pl broadcast for additional coverage.
criminal law
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