Poland, the autocratic temptation

A new law on Poland's role in the Second World War is causing controversy. It is representative of a trend in certain countries within the the European Union (EU) who defend «illiberal democracy» as an alternative model.

Another line has been crossed. Last week, the Polish Parliament passed a law calling into question Poland's role in the Holocaust during the Second World War. Attributing the crimes committed to the Polish state will henceforth be forbidden by law. For the government, this law aims to defend the image of the Polish people by avoiding associating them with the extermination camps. In practice, the political authorities are manipulating historical facts to suit their own vision of things. An attempt at «revisionism light»In short.

The measure is the latest instalment in a worrying development since the populist, conservative Law and Justice party took power in Poland in 2015. At the start of 2018, abortion permitted in certain circumstances was made virtually impossible. More structurally, judicial reforms implemented over the past two years are calling into question the independence of the judiciary and the existence of the rule of law in Poland. The political power controls and decides on the appointment of magistrates, who are now subject to the majority in power.

Illiberal democracy«

Poland, like Hungary, was considered a model of democratization and Westernization after the fall of the Soviet Union. This exemplary transition was rewarded by membership of the European Union in 2004, with all its attendant benefits. Despite this, less than ten years later, these countries are experimenting with a drastic step backwards in terms of civil liberties. The more or less assumed project of building an «illiberal democracy», a term dear to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, is underway.

Illiberal democracy« is a concept developed in the late 1990s by the American journalist Fareed Zakaria and refers to a »democratic« political system.» - that elections are held regularly - but where elected representatives are not restricted in the exercise of their power. Authoritarianism, weak checks and balances - by controlling the media and discrediting all forms of political opposition -, It's a system of values that runs counter to the openness, both cultural and economic, defended by liberal democracies. A system of values that runs counter to the cultural and economic openness defended by liberal democracies.

The tendency to systematically reject the rule of law as a guarantee of individual freedom is becoming increasingly widespread. This defense of authoritarian regimes «that work» and of a possible alternative model within the Old Continent is a danger for Europe and the values it stands for.

A challenge for the European Union

What was the European Commission's response to Poland's excesses? After months of warnings to no avail, Article 7 of the European Union (EU) Treaty, the «ultimate weapon» that can be mobilized in the event of a «clear risk of a serious breach by a member state» of the Union's values, was triggered at the end of 2017. This opens the door to the suspension of certain rights, such as voting rights, of the country in question. But this sanction remains no less symbolic, as it requires the approval of all member states for its application, and Hungary has made no secret of its sympathy and support for the Polish government.

Some are advocating more concrete measures, such as making access to European development funds conditional on respect for European values. Will this be enough to make the Polish government give in? Nothing is less certain.

In any case, the EU must act with force and conviction on this issue. A clear and binding sanction, at the risk of losing all credibility at a time of unprecedented difficulties.

At a time when the Union is in turmoil, defending its values is the best way to resolve the «existential crisis» Europe is undergoing. The EU is not only a common market project, but also one of shared values. Merkel, Macron, Juncker et al. now have the opportunity to prove that the Community idea is not a pipe dream designed to deprive people of their sovereignty. We need to show courage and reaffirm that democracy, the rule of law and human rights are non-negotiable.

To do nothing for fear that too strong a sanction would lead to the partial disintegration of the Union, or that certain countries would turn to the «Putin Motherland», would be a fatal error which would empty the European project of all meaning. The European Union will be democratic and liberal, or it won't be.

Write to the author : diego.taboada@bluewin.ch