A newly released report on the state of democracy in Poland is raising serious concerns about the direction the country is heading. The report, authored by former U.S. diplomat Matthew Boyse and Peter Doran of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), warns that the current ruling coalition’s crackdown on the opposition could hurt Poland’s national interests and strain its relationship with the United States.
Targeting the Opposition: A Dangerous Game
Boyse and Doran make it clear: the aggressive push by the new Polish government to eliminate PiS (Law and Justice) from public life is not just political manoeuvring—it’s a dangerous step that could backfire. “Further attempts by the government led by Civic Coalition (KO) to destroy PiS will be noticed, which could lead to a loss of influence in Washington, harming Poland’s national interests and prestige,” the report states. This means that if the Polish government continues its crusade against PiS, it risks losing influence in Washington, which would harm Poland’s international standing.
The Leftist Assault on Polish Institutions
The report highlights several concerning trends, including sweeping changes in public media, judicial restructuring, and politically motivated prosecutions of PiS officials. “I also think that it is good for Poland to have a conservative party that currently has good relations with the White House because it gives Poland a voice it would not otherwise have,” says Boyse. He argues that Poland benefits from having a strong conservative party with ties to the U.S. Republican Party, which helps the nation maintain a voice in international affairs.
Undermining Democracy in the Name of Democracy?
Perhaps the most ironic aspect of the government’s policies is that they claim to be defending democracy while actively silencing opposition voices. “During Trump’s first administration, many journalists, politicians, and NGOs wanted us to lecture the PiS government about how Poland was no longer a democracy and that democracy was in retreat,” Boyse recalls. In other words, the previous PiS government was often accused of weakening democracy, yet it remained committed to democratic principles. Now, the tables have turned, and those who once decried political overreach are the ones engaging in it.
Why This Matters for Poland and the U.S.
The strong relationship Poland built with the Trump administration and U.S. Republicans is an asset the country cannot afford to lose. The Hudson Institute, a respected conservative think tank that includes figures such as former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster, emphasizes that Poland’s alignment with conservative forces in the U.S. is a strategic advantage.
Boyse warns that marginalizing PiS could erode these ties. “Due to this criticism of the previous government, the Biden administration wanted to keep Poland at a distance, which in his opinion was a ‘stupid’ policy.” In other words, the Biden administration’s approach to Poland has already been questionable, and Poland cannot afford to alienate its allies further.