Former U.S. President Barack Obama shared remarks about his conversations on the “rule of law” in Poland and Hungary. As he explained, the talks were focused on “ways to combat the rise of authoritarianism.” Could it be that Obama had in mind the recent decisions of Waldemar Żurek? Apparently not — his “expert” on the subject was Zuzanna Rudzińska-Bluszcz, a former deputy justice minister in Donald Tusk’s government. Obama’s comments on social media quickly drew a response from an immigrant living in Poland.
“I’m increasingly concerned about the growing wave of authoritarianism sweeping across the world,” Obama said. “We’re seeing politicians attack civil society, undermine press freedom, and weaponize the judiciary. And no one is spared,” he warned.
A perfect description of Poland’s current situation? Hardly. Obama’s words came during a discussion with three graduates of the Obama Foundation programs who — as stated — “work to strengthen democracy in their home countries, Poland and Hungary.” Among them was Zuzanna Rudzińska-Bluszcz, the former Polish deputy justice minister, who also “warned citizens against the temptation to follow national events only during election time.”
“Democracy is something that must be practiced every day or every week, on a regular basis,” she said. “We need active citizenship,” she added.
“They’re an example for all of us,” Obama commented, referring to the activists from Poland and Hungary.
But on X.com, a Brazilian living in Poland had a different perspective.
“Hello, Mr. Obama. I’m an immigrant living in Poland. The streets are clean, the cities are VERY safe, life is good and easy. I don’t know the United States, but I’m not sure if Philadelphia and Chicago look as nice as they do here,” he wrote — also mentioning the supposedly ‘democratic’ London, Hamburg, and Paris.