A Brief Overview of Polish Political Parties

WARSAW- Poland recently suffered what some are calling a “JFK Moment” over the death of President Lech Kaczyński. Mr. Kaczyński, his wife, and numerous staff were killed in a plane crash in western Russia about a week ago. After controversies regarding his final-resting-place-to-be, he and his wife were interred in Wawel Cathedral, the traditional resting place of Polish kings, saints, and heroes (this was the nature of the controversy, as many felt Mr. Kaczyński was unworthy of the honor). With elections expected to be held in June, ICTPT reporters have compiled a brief glimpse of Polish politics:

Platforma Obywatelska
• English Translation: Civic Platform
• Leader: Donald Tusk
• Political Position: Center/Right
• Founded: July 1st, 2001
• Ideology: Conservative liberalism, Christian democracy
• Currently the leading party in Poland, it was formed when three members of other parties split off from their original parties and joined together. At first, Andrzej Olechowski, Maciej Płażyński and Donald Tusk were jokingly called “the Three Tenors” by Polish media. Later, Andrzej Olechowski and Maciej Płażyński left the party in Donald Tusk’s care.
• Official Colors: Blue and Orange
• Motto: Co to za dziwne imię Donald?
• Theme Song: “Jesteśmy Niebieski, Zielony, Gdybyśmy To My Umieramy” by Eiffelski 65

Prawo i Sprawiedliwość
• English Translation: Law and Justice
• Leader: Jarosław Kaczyński
• Political Position: Right
• Founded: June 13th, 2001
• Ideology: National Conservatism, Christian Democracy
• Founded by identical twins Lech and Jarosław Kaczyński, the party has been a force of controversy. Among other issues, it has been branded as homophobic (Lech, who was mayor of Warsaw for several years before becoming president, banned several gay pride parades and Jarosław once said that homosexuality would bring about the collapse of civilization) and when the British Conservative Party joined them in the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, former British Minister for Europe Denis MacShane remarked that “Tory isolationism is now creating a network of unpleasant, ugly, anti-European parties grouped around Cameron and Hague, but surely they should draw the line at links with gay-bashing homophobes.”
• Official Color: Blue
• Motto: Hej, pamiętaj, że niesamowite, że facet po prostu umarł?
• Theme Song: “Żegnaj, Panie Pie Polski” by Doń Mcłeanski

Sojusz Lewicy Demokratycznej
• English Translation: Democratic Left Alliance
• Leader: Grzegorz Napieralski
• Political Position: Center/Left
• Founded: April 15th, 1999
• Ideology: Democratic Socialism, Anti-clerical
• The SLD has its roots in the communist regime. It arose from a coalition during Poland’s first free elections in 1991 which included the post-communist Social Democracy of the Republic of Poland. The party’s popularity has been on the decline ever since the “Rywin-gate” scandal that began in 2002.
• Official Color: Red
• Motto: Tak możemy
• Theme Song: “Poborcą” by Chrząszcze

Polskie Stronnictwo Ludowe
• English Translation: Polish People’s Party
• Leader: Waldemar Pawlak
• Political Position: Center
• Founded: May 5th, 1990
• Ideology: Agrarianism,
• The party was originally founded among several other people’s parties, which worked together to form a postwar, noncommunist government and eventually the parties all merged. During the early years it had leftist tendencies and occasionally formed coalitions with Sojusz Lewicy Demokratycznej, though in recent years it has become more centrist and has even adopted some conservative policies. In recent years, it has been losing popularity.
• Official Color: Green
• Motto: Nie musisz się do Irlandii, jak koniczyna.
• Theme Song: “Ludzi Partii” by Nzełłii feat. Fergski

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civic_Platform

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_and_Justice

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Left_Alliance

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_People%27s_Party

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/5418173/European-elections-Polands-controversial-Law-and-Justice-Party.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/19/world/europe/19poland.html?ref=europe