Europe August 26, 2021 POLAND: Will PiS govern until the 2023 general election? Poland, Politics Andrius Tursa The departure of the junior coalition partner Agreement from the United Right coalition government and notable difficulties in advancing the controversial “lex TVN” bill in parliament earlier this month raise questions about whether Mateusz Morawiecki’s government... Read More...
Europe August 12, 2021 POLAND: PiS advances controversial Lex TVN despite potentially steep costs Poland, Politics Andrius Tursa The government’s attempt to gain greater influence over private media will further erode democratic institutions, hurt the country’s business environment and relations with key international allies. The broadcasting bill will test whether the PiS-led government can muster an absolute majority... Read More...
Europe July 26, 2021 POLAND/HUNGARY: Rule of law dispute could bear financial consequences Hungary, Poland, Politics Andrius Tursa Hungary and Poland could see further delays in the approval of their national recovery and resilience plans due to rule of law and anti-corruption concerns in both countries. Faced with substantial financial penalties, Budapest and Warsaw would be more likely... Read More...
Europe June 30, 2021 POLAND: Tusk’s return could spark opposition renewal Poland, Politics Andrius Tursa A potential return of Donald Tusk to domestic politics could kickstart a renewal of Civic Platform (PO), the largest opposition party in parliament. However, Tusk would have to overcome multiple challenges facing PO and the wider opposition in order... Read More...
Europe May 18, 2021 POLAND: Ambitious recovery package aims to revert the decline of United Right Poland, Politics Andrius Tursa The government’s ambitious post-pandemic recovery plan is an attempt to recover public support after a challenging year marked by the pandemic and recurring fractures within the United Right coalition. New spending initiatives could slow down fiscal consolidation... Read More...
Europe December 16, 2020 POLAND/HUNGARY: Compromise agreement only postpones rule of law battles with EU EU, Hungary, Poland, Politics Andrius Tursa The proposed rule of law mechanism in the EU remains ambiguous and will likely be postponed due to legal battles, which suits Budapest and Warsaw. The threat of financial sanctions could force Poland and Hungary to alter their policies directly... Read More...
Europe December 9, 2020 EU: Towards overcoming the Polish and Hungarian budget vetoes EU, Hungary, Poland, Politics EU budget Carsten Nickel The German EU Council presidency appears to have reached an agreement with Poland and Hungary that should allow passage of the bloc’s macro budget and the pandemic recovery fund when heads of state or government meet on 10-11 December.... Read More...
Europe December 1, 2020 HUNGARY/POLAND: Significant concessions unlikely in talks with EU Hungary, Poland, Politics editorial, EU budget Andrius Tursa Poland and Hungary are unlikely to make significant concessions in the negotiations with the EU, at least in the near term. The rule-of-law talks could destabilize the wobbly United Right coalition government in Poland. Few domestic pressures make Budapest’s position more... Read More...
Europe March 17, 2021 POLAND: Bracing for another lockdown Poland, Politics Andrius Tursa The rapidly deteriorating epidemiological situation raises the probability of a countrywide lockdown in the coming days. The ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party will present details of its new post-pandemic economic and social development program on 20 March. The pro-EU opposition... Read More...
Europe October 28, 2020 POLAND: PiS moves toward challenging but inevitable coal phase-out Poland, Politics coal power, editorial Andrius Tursa The Polish government appears committed to finally start the transition away from coal in the power sector. This will require difficult compromises with the country’s influential mining unions, and may trigger new protests and lower support for the ruling... Read More...
