“Persecutions are ongoing, leading to fatalities.” PiS President: We Are Losing the Foundations of Democracy

“Today in Poland, at this very moment, we are losing what constitutes the foundation of democracy – civil rights,” emphasized Jarosław Kaczyński, the president of the Law and Justice party (PiS), on Sunday. The politician recalled the interrogation and death of the late Barbara Skrzypek, as well as the detention of Anna W., whose son recently attempted suicide. The leader of the largest opposition party expressed no doubt that the authorities are persecuting their political opponents.

At a meeting with residents of Tomaszów Lubelski, Kaczyński addressed the current state of democracy in Poland. He pointed out that Rafał Trzaskowski, the deputy leader of the Civic Platform (PO), claims that he and his leader, Donald Tusk, intend to build the rule of law in Poland. “Well, if this is how they are building it, then I believe you can all see what is happening in Poland—what is happening to our civil rights, what is happening to the opposition. This has always been the true indicator of whether there is democracy or not,” said Jarosław Kaczyński.

The PiS president noted that the opposition in Poland is currently being persecuted, yet protests from Trzaskowski are nowhere to be heard. He asserted that the current government is seeking to eliminate its political rivals. “[…] so that there would be no real opposition in Poland, so that Poles might have – perhaps – various political parties, although even that is not guaranteed, but in reality, only one party, the ‘only right one,’ would remain in power,” he stated.

According to Kaczyński, the current situation signals a regression toward the darkest moments in history. He claimed that persecutions are ongoing, which “have even led to fatalities.” Here, he referenced his long-time associate, the late Barbara Skrzypek. 

He also addressed the case of Anna W., who remains in detention, and whose 13-year-old son recently attempted suicide. “There is a mother of a seriously ill child, and she is now publicly—here I refer to Giertych—being told: you will be with your child, you will be allowed to see your thirteen-year-old boy, who needs his mother’s presence, who is gravely ill and whose condition is deteriorating, but only on one condition: that you act like a certain Mr Mraz, the one with the moustache and goatee, who plays the role of a false informer,” Kaczyński declared.

He also reminded the audience that concerns have arisen as to whether the elections—if won by Karol Nawrocki—might be annulled. He stressed that it is up to the Polish people whether they will allow that to happen.