About: Poland
It’s the fight of the decade and the Polish presidency is the prize
On Sunday (28 June) almost 20 million Poles went to the polls to choose their head of state, who has not many prerogatives. Yet in a country ruled by symbols, the presidency symbolism is of utmost importance. Holding the it is the ultimate proof for any political party of their power and popularity. Piotr Kaczyński looks into whether the Law and Justice's (PiS) rule could continue.
Green investment plan will be an impulse for economic growth
The coronavirus pandemic has forced decision-makers to change their perspective on the economy and adapt to the new normal. In this unprecedented moment, we propose solutions which will trigger a new impulse for development. Michał Kurtyka presents Poland's view on the green investment plan.
The Just Transition Fund must reward climate ambition
The EU's Just Transition Fund must reward climate ambition and prioritise Europe’s coal communities where the cliff-edge is fast approaching, writes Niklas Nienaß.
Ten years after the Smolensk tragedy
10 April marks the tenth anniversary of the Smolensk plane crash that killed 96 people including the Polish president, central bank chief and military commanders. Ambassador Andrzej Sadoś explains how this tragic incident further deepened the divide between Poland and Russia.
Hydrogen alliance could help rebuild European unity
A hydrogen alliance initiated by Poland and Germany could be one of the ways to preserve European unity in the face of the looming economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, writes Wojciech Jakóbik.
Visegrad Group: Will a new wind dispel the clouds?
One thing is moving in the right direction: according to the most recent Eurobarometer surveys, the pro-EU sentiment stands at a high level in the four Visgrad countries, write Yannis Karamitsios and Marcela Valkova.
A way to climate neutrality
Climate neutrality, low-carbon economy, reduction of emissions, renewable energy, circular economy, carbon footprint, Just Transition – in recent years, these keywords have become increasingly common in Poland's public debate, writes Michał Kurtyka.
Is the EU Just Transition Fund all for naught?
Whether €5 billion or €35 billion, the EU’s upcoming Just Transition Fund alone is unlikely to be enough to pay for the energy transition of Europe’s remaining coal countries. Nor is it necessary, argue Pieter de Pous and Rebekka Popp.
Tokarczuk’s Nobel is good news for Polish liberals ahead of Sunday’s vote
With this award, Europeans can see how strong, powerful, but most of all, resourceful, the liberal Poland is, writes Piotr Maciej Kaczyński.
Poland’s double-game on defence matters
Poland's decision to buy American F-35 aircraft sounds like Warsaw snubbing European projects. However, the EU member state, is also in breach of its commitments, writes Nicholas Gros-Verheyde.
Choreography of a climate deal
A deal with Poland on 2050 climate neutrality is in sight, writes Brook Riley.
How to fix Eastern Europe’s problem with 2050 climate neutrality
A radical, one might say populist, solution to solve the Eastern blockade on climate neutrality would be to set up a European Climate Solidarity Fund, writes István Bart.
The Visegrad 4 and Russian pipelines: An imaginary unity
The Nord Stream II pipeline gave birth to a seemingly united front among several Central and Eastern European states objecting to the project, including Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland. That, however, is far from the truth, writes Martin Jirušek.
Visegrad4: From a provincial energy debate to joint action for renewables
The V4 group of countries ignores climate threats, attempts to extend fossil fuel burning, violates air pollution limits and undermines the development of renewable energies. The Visegrad+ Renewable Energy platform has been established to turn this trend around, writes Ada Ámon.
Strengthening EU rule of law protection: start with freedom of expression
This Tuesday, during the General Affairs Council, ministers of foreign affairs will get a presentation by the Commission about a new Communication on the rule of law. Rather than just listen, ministers should show they are committed to backing up talk with immediate action, write Gráinne de Búrca and John Morijn.
Future of the Eastern Partnership: The Polish view
An “Association Agreements plus” with a secretariat, a rotating presidency, and the creation of a regional economic area. These could be the next steps for the "Eastern Partnership" (EaP) launched 10 years ago, writes Prof. Jacek Czaputowicz.
Fallout from the Kaczynski Twin Towers scandal
The public image of Poland’s political mastermind Jarosław Kaczyński and his ruling conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party was shattered by revelations published by the Gazeta Wyborcza daily on Tuesday (29 January). Piotr Kaczyński (unrelated to the PiS leader) looks into the fallout.
Russian Orthodoxy, a security issue in Ukraine
The politico-spiritual move away from Russian Orthodoxy, presented by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko as a major national security issue, has deeply angered Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has political ambitions in the region, writes Willy Fautré.
Mussels, health, and Baltic tourism. What do they have in common?
Initiatives like the Baltic Sea Region combine the unusual and predictable in developing people’s sense of shared responsibility for the development of their home regions, writes Jerzy Kwieciński.
The migrants are coming to Poland. Let’s welcome them
Polish deputy minister for development, Paweł Chorąży, left government because he said a banal and obvious thing: Without immigrants in Poland, there will be not enough hands to work and no economic growth. Rather than demonise them, the government should welcome the newcomers, writes Bartosz T. Wieliński.
An EU anti-smog fund for Poland
Poland has some of the worst air quality in the EU. But fighting smog is expensive. The Modernisation Fund set up as part of the Emissions Trading Scheme could help here, writes Joanna Maćkowiak-Pandera.
Mega infrastructure projects win over clean energy in Visegrad Four
In the Visegrad countries, decision makers prefer their historical favourites – coal and nuclear – to renewable sources and energy efficiency. As the Global Climate Action Summit resumes in San Francisco, it’s important to realise that corporate leadership can also shape the outlook for clean energy in Eastern Europe, writes Ada Ámon.
Orban in Jerusalem: Challenging days for Europe-Israel relations
Endorsing Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban symbolizes a moral failure for modern-day Zionism. Straying from the high moral standards upon which Israel was established could become a real threat to the existence and well-being of Israel as we know it, and of world Jewry, writes Raanan Eliaz.