Poles going to the Polls

Today is the special Presidential Election for Poland. It is the first Sunday after a 60 day period from when the former President was killed in a plane crash.

For those of your who think it is unusual to have a Presidential election in a Sunday- it is actually the norm in many parts of the world.

Polls are open for the Poles until 8pm.

Now, this was to be an election year anyway- however the election had to be moved up by several months due to the death of President Lech Kaczynski.

Kaczynski was a member of the Law and Justice Party- a quite far right of center (very conservative party), who is rather nationalistic. He was brought into office promising returning Poland to its greatest and individuality; and being hesitant about full EU integration. But based on the polls prior to his death- he had lost most of his momentum. Even before his death, it was predicted he would not be reelected.

So with his death, the Law and Justice Party needed a new candidate. So, Kaczynski’s identical twin brother (Jaroslaw Kaczynski) took his place in the election (yes, identical twin). Truth is always stranger than fiction.

There are 10 people running for President today, but 8 are from rather small parties.

The other major party in the election is the Civic Platform Party. The are right of center too- but more Eurocentric and interested in globalization and foreign policy. Although they are “right of center” too- they are not near as conservative as the Law and Justice Party. The Civic Platform Party already controls Parliament, and Poland’s Prime Minister (Donald Tusk) is from the Civic Platform Party.

House Speaker Bronislaw Komorowski from the Civic Platform Party was appointed “acting President” when Kaczynski died. Komorowski is also their Presidential candidate today.

Based on the polls (of Poles)- Komorowski is the favorite to win.

The hot issues in Poland are: Poland’s integration into the EU. Polish troops in Afghanistan (Poland have had troops fighting along with the US soldiers since the conflict began. Like in the US, some of the populace is growing tired of the endless war). And finally, the economy: including more privatization of industry and less spending on social programs.

Poland’s political suture is different from the US- as they have both a President and a Prime Minister. Most executive power in Poland rests in the hands of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (who the Prime Minister appoints). But the President serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and can veto laws, giving him/her significant influence.

But the way I always viewed it- it seemed as if the Prime Minister (Tusk) had the most power- and the President was just either a friend or a barrier to the PM. But the President is the official “face” of the country.

As the President and Prime Minister had been from different parties; and the two did not like each other- things sometimes moved slowly. However, if Komorowski wins, Civic Platform will control everything.

Although the US nor EU make any official statement- from their interests, a Civic Platform win would likley be their preference.

You might ask where is the famous Solidarity Party of Lech Walesa? Well, as with many groups- it is much easier to oppose than to rule. Solidarity will forever be known as the political group that broke Communism, and the first group democratically elected in Poland’s in modern history. But Walesa and Solidarity only made it through one election. During their short rein, there was so much political in-fighting on how to move forward- that Solidarity (as a political party) disbanded and its members all went left, right and center (including forming the two parties mentioned above). Many of the iconic leaders don’t even speak to each other any more. Ironic.

Also, by Polish law, the Presidential winner has to receive 50% or more of the vote. With 10 people running (even if the small groups get just 1 or 2 percent)- 50% is hard to accomplish. So, in the event no one wins by 50% or greater- a run off election is held in 2 weeks by the top two vote getters (who will likely be Komorowski & Kaczynski).

So, not only were we here for the terrible tragedy of the death of Lech Kaczynski. We were able to see a Presidential election cycle.

PS- It is not Father’s Day here. They celebrate Father’s Day on the 26th.