The stalling tactic recently employed by Poland’s outgoing government is part of a worrying trend in democracies, whereby the incumbent party rigs the game before leaving office. In Poland and elsewhere, this has meant last-minute appointments, policy commitments, and structural changes that diminish the winner’s powers.
PRINCETON – More than two months after the decisive victory of pro-democracy parties in Poland’s general election, opposition leader Donald Tusk has finally been sworn in as prime minister. Initially, Mateusz Morawiecki, his predecessor from the right-wing populist Law and Justice (PiS) party, had been reappointed by President Andrzej Duda, beholden to PiS, under the pretense of forming a government. Predictably, he failed to win a vote of confidence in parliament.
PRINCETON – More than two months after the decisive victory of pro-democracy parties in Poland’s general election, opposition leader Donald Tusk has finally been sworn in as prime minister. Initially, Mateusz Morawiecki, his predecessor from the right-wing populist Law and Justice (PiS) party, had been reappointed by President Andrzej Duda, beholden to PiS, under the pretense of forming a government. Predictably, he failed to win a vote of confidence in parliament.