In the latest episode of The Polkast, we dive into the evolving story of Poland’s left-wing party, Razem. Our guest is Paweł Jasiński, a city councillor in Cieszyn and a Razem member.

Join us as we unpack the party’s formation in 2015, its rise as a bold voice for progressive politics, and the recent challenges that have shaken its foundation.

Why did Razem part ways with its coalition partners? Why did Magda Biejat leave the party? What’s next for Razem after these pivotal changes? Tune in to explore the context, the conflicts, and the possibilities ahead for progressive politics in Poland.

Note: This episode was recorded at the end of November, before the internal election results for Razem’s new leadership were announced. The new co-leaders are Aleksandra Owca and Adrian Zandberg.

We're back!

It’s been a year since Poland’s historic election which ousted PiS, and installed a coalition government led by Donald Tusk. A year on, where is Poland at?

In the first episode of season 3, we look back on the hopes and promises that led a record-breaking number of voters to go to the polls last year. How many of them have materialised?

Tune in to learn more about the new government’s record so far on issues including abortion, migration, LGBTQ+ rights, the economy and much more (spoiler alert: it’s not great).

We’ll also take a quick look at the state of the left and social movements - although more detailed episodes on these topics are coming soon!

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In this episode, we reference a report by Fundacja Ocalenie on the humanitarian crisis on the border with Belarus. It's available, in English, here:

ENG_No-Safe-Passage.-Migrants-deaths-at-the-European-Union-Belarusian-border.pdf (ocalenie.org.pl)

The 15 October general election finally ended Law and Justice's (PiS) parliamentary majority, allowing the “democratic opposition” to form a government. The results were met with celebratory headlines across Europe, but the picture is more complex.

As the new coalition government takes shape, we’re taking a closer look at what it might mean for Poland. In this episode, Ewa and Ana analyse the contents of the coalition agreement, and what’s missing from it. 

We also discuss the split that has emerged on the Polish left, the risks and opportunities it faces, and what an effective left strategy could look like under a centre-right, Tusk-led administration.

LINKS:

'PiS off! But Tusk’s coalition is a Faustian pact for the Polish left' - Ewa’s article in Red Pepper: https://www.redpepper.org.uk/global-politics/europe/pis-off-but-tusks-coalition-is-a-faustian-pact-for-the-polish-left/

'Coalition defeats hard right in Poland' - Ana’s article in Chartist: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz1yMGNOL4w/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==