| We the Polish people, who elected our current government by a large margin of votes in a democratic election held in October 2015, appeal to the Parliament of the European Union to support the implementation of the reforms promised to us by this government.
It is imperative for Polish citizens, that the current government is given a chance to continue the path undertaken by it to modernize the state, in order to improve its economy, system of justice, security and defence in addition to reforming education and the public media - as was promised to us.
After years of disappointment and bad management by the elites of consecutive governments in the post-communist era, these reforms are absolutely necessary so that Polish society can approach normal functioning again. The only interested parties in derailing this process are the beneficiaries of the previous political set-up.
Previous governments - especially the coalition Citizens Platform (PO) – Polish Country Faction (PSL), - were characterized by a superficial enthusiasm towards the European Union ostentatiously displayed under the banners of “democracy” and “European unity”. On the other hand, internally, the coalition pursued the enforcing of its interests and influence over every level of political structure and economic activity and furthermore exerted control over the media with ruthless persistency. Deals with the private pro-coalition media, though heavily subsidised with public funding, helped suppress real freedom of the press and prevented the public from receiving factual, unbiased information. Persecution and the surveillance of journalists were commonplace; the previous elections showed strong evidence of being rigged but world public opinion was not made aware of all that, misled by alliances and cronyism within the ruling coalition, justice system and the media.
The current parliamentary opposition, which was in the government up until the recent election, and which represents interest groups active up to the present day, cannot accept the fact that their dominant position can be put in jeopardy and that their criminal activities and corruption can be investigated and brought to justice.
One of the institutions used to protect the interests of the post-communist elites and at the same time destabilize the legally elected government and its actions, was the Constitutional Tribunal which was brought into existence on March 26, 1982 by the Communist regime during the period of martial law. This body became fully politicized and stacked by a vast majority of judges who were supporters of the government PO/PSL coalition just before they lost the election. Even before this took place, the Tribunal approved various pieces of legislation as fully constitutional, which in fact were most unjust and violated citizens’ rights.
A vivid example of such legislation, where government seizures gained the Tribunal’s approval, was its take-over of the Private Retirement Accounts (PFE). As the result of this decision, Polish citizens were deprived of 153 billion PLN which they were saving for their retirement. Justice Andrzej Rzepliński, the President of the Constitutional Tribunal, announced afterwards: “The authorities have the right to reform the retirement system in such a way as to reflect the current economic reality. The citizens must accept it.”
In light of the above, the fact that the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau hired a private company called The Consultancy Council (Rada Konsultacyjna), which employed the wife of the Tribunal’s President, Irena Rzeplińska, does not appear a mere coincidence. It is also no coincidence that dissolving the contract between the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Consultancy Council resulted in the Constitutional Tribunal starting proceedings which aimed at incapacitating the current government.
The current opposition is trying to distort public perception of the Polish government within Poland and in the west. To achieve this they are using their previously established contacts within the European Union and the Western media. The Polish government is portrayed on the international forum as ultraconservative and reactionary, whereas in reality it has undertaken reforms to increase minimal wages, support for poor families, child subsidies and to decrease the retirement age which are not indications of being reactionary at all.
They indicate, rather, characteristics of a progressive government, in favour of social reform and care for its citizens.
The opposition, together with a biased media, depict the Polish government as nationalistic and euro-sceptic. They use an Orwellian manipulation of language, where any concern for the future and the form of the European Union is falsely presented as euro-scepticism.
We appeal to the members of the European Parliament to be open in their approach and outlook with regards to the positive changes taking place in Poland in order to help our society in implementing the reforms started by the government in the name of freedom and equality.
We ask that you do not get influenced by the hate speech which is currently being disseminated in Poland by post-communist elites, who pretend to be defenders of democracy.
Hanna Dobrowolska, editor, www.solidarni2010.pl
The European Parliament:
president.juncker@ec.europa.eu
frans-timmermans-contact@ec.europa.eu
federica.mogherini@ec.europa.eu
cab-georgieva-webpage@ec.europa.eu
cab-ansip-web@ec.europa.eu
cab-sefcovic-web@ec.europa.eu
jyrki-katainen-contact@ec.europa.eu
guenther-oettinger-contact@ec.europa.eu
cab-hahn-contacts@ec.europa.eu
cecilia-malmstrom-contact@ec.europa.eu
cab-mimica-webpage@ec.europa.eu
cab-arias-canete-archives@ec.europa.eu
cab-andriukaitis-webpage@ec.europa.eu
dimitris.avramopoulos@ec.europa.eu
cab-thyssen@ec.europa.eu
cab-moscovici-webpage@ec.europa.eu
christos.stylianides@ec.europa.eu
phil.hogan@ec.europa.eu
cab-hill-contact@ec.europa.eu
vera-jourova-contact@ec.europa.eu
cab-navracsics-contact@ec.europa.eu
corina-cretu-contact@ec.europa.eu
margrethe-vestager-contact@ec.europa.eu
cab-moedas-contact@ec.europa.eu
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