No shortcuts

Grzegorz Schetyna, the leader of Civic Platform (PO), spoke to WBJ Observer about his party in opposition, their fight with the consequences of the constitutional crisis in Poland, and about the steps it has taken to present itself as an effective party that can respond to the needs of Poles who want to live and work in a secure, democratic and respected European country

Interview by Ewa Boniecka

WBJ Observer: You became the leader of Civic Platform under very difficult circumstances; after the party’s defeat in the parliamentary election and ­during the crisis concerning the Constitutional Tribunal. What do you regard as your priority in leading PO? Grzegorz Schetyna: My priority as leader of the opposition in Poland and leader of Civic Platform is to protect the democratic legacy of the last 25 years. Within the party I need to focus on rebuilding the structure and restoring the effectiveness and the credibility of the party and faith that we are the future and that we can win the next election. We have two and a half years to accomplish that, with local and parliamentary elections ahead of us. Many PO voters were disappointed with Civic Platform for various reasons when it was in power. Now, as the leader of PO, you are expected to deliver a new, credible program and a clear definition of the party’s identity. Yet it seems that the party is trapped in a cycle of internal struggle, and is not able to present a new, coherent program. Fighting against Law and Justice (PiS) policies is not enough in the view of your potential voters. How do you respond to this criticism? We have drawn conclusions from the last elections and I am well aware of the importance and responsibility to present a clear program for Poles and Poland, one that will bring back stabilization, democratic order, one that will focus on the well-being of Poles. At the end of September we are organizing a party congress, we will present a clear vision of Poland “after PiS,” following the next parliamentary elections. This will be a vision that reflects the aspirations and dreams of Polish citizens. That is why we have begun to build so called “citizen clubs” – forums of debate, where we conduct discussions with various groups of society exchanging views on the future of our country, freedom, citizens’ rights and aspirations, education, culture, history, tradition, social and economic problems, foreign policy and many more issues. The interest in these “citizen clubs” is high, each is attended by a few hundred people – young, elderly, those who support PO and those who support other political parties but who want to be heard and who are concerned about various Polish matters. Our program will address those concerns. During those debates, were any questions raised concerning the present political character and long-term identity of Civic Platform? Civic Platform is a centrist party, which has defined conservative and liberal characteristics. It is a party that is open to tradition, the historic legacy of the country, patriotic values and obligations. We stress that our principles are based on democracy, freedom and respect for human rights. We are part of the European Union and we care for our strong political and economic position within the EU. We take a liberal stand on economic matters, linked with a sensibility for social needs, we stress the need for better education and the creation of quality jobs for Poles. We want to provide young people with decent jobs and the opportunity to make a good living in their own country. But why are you taking such a long time to prepare and present a solid party program? This is not a race. As I said, our new party program is being created with the involvement of large groups of Poles. They are part of the process of rebuilding and strengthening Civic Platform. We are not only creating our network of “citizen clubs,” we are also strengthening our intellectual base. We are also remodeling our think tank – the Citizens Institute (Instytut Obywatelski) led by Jarosław Wałęsa, the son of legendary “Solidarity” leader Lech Wałęsa, and expanding its board, inviting prominent intellectuals to sit on it. We have also invited young scholars to get involved. We want to entice new activists into the party, bring some new faces into PO, involve a new generation of Poles in our activity and to build an open and dynamic Civic Platform in all regions. There can be no shortcuts in rebuilding a great party. Ours is the party that brought Poland solid economic performance, financial stability, effective social policy and a strong position among the democratic community of states and an important role in the European Union and NATO. Pointing to our many achievements whilst in government, we reject the PiS lies about that period and the claims made during the electoral campaign that “Poland is in ruin.” We reject their false account of the Smolensk catastrophe, their policy of abusing and dividing Poles, their violation of the judicial system and the civil service, and their drive to control all domains of public life. Poles do not want such an oppressive government, they do not want restrictions on their freedom. So, we have to be patient, and while PiS will weaken, we must present a concrete offer for the future. I am certain that in September, after broad consultations with Poles, we will be ready to present Civic Platform’s strategic program. What is your view in relation to the possibility of resolving the conflict about the Constitutional Tribunal? I would like to see such a possibility, but the Chairman of PiS Jarosław Kaczynski, Prime Minister Beata Szydło and President Andrzej Duda have shown that they do not want to resolve this conflict. They have ignored the recommendations of the European Commission and the Venice Commission. Appeals from the European Parliament to implement the decisions of the Constitutional Tribunal have also been dismissed. The PiS government ignores the fact that its violation of democratic procedures and standards is harming Poland’s interests and is weakening our position within the EU, with all the consequences that this holds for our country. Civic Platform will not stand aside and observe as PiS ruins what we have worked for over the past few years. We must expose and criticize PiS’s party stance, nonetheless, PiS was elected in a democratic election, and opposition parties have to respect that fact while battling against them. Most crucially, Civic Platform has to prove and convince Poles that we can act effectively in opposition and that we are preparing a credible offer for them at the next election. Poland’s relations with the US are also on probation due to the government’s violation of the democratic order. Do you think that it could have an influence on procedures and the results of the NATO summit in Warsaw, or our defense policy in the framework of NATO? The NATO summit in Warsaw was initiated by the PO government, with the strong support of former president Bronisław Komorowski at a time when our relations with the US and other NATO members were very solid, warm and fruitful. The situation in Poland has changed for the worse, but I hope that the summit will go ahead as planned. The NATO alliance is a strong multinational defense organization and the Warsaw Summit is very important for all of its members, especially in the present dangerous international context. Therefore, I hope that it will go well and bring good results. Moving on to economic issues and minister Morawiecki’s plan to increase the state’s role in our economy, what is Civic Platform’s response to the announcement? Civic Platform’s economic stance is linked to its liberal approach in shaping policies with the awareness of conditions that occur in the global capitalist economy. There is no room nowadays for isolationism in running economic policy. Financial and trade systems are interlinked and the situation in one country affects others. Hence, caring for and promoting the country’s economy and trade interests must be carried out within a framework of principles of a liberal market economy. This also concerns the approach to the activity and the role of international investors who compete for the best placements. Poland needs such investment and should attract it. The barriers currently being built by the government against the flow of foreign investors to our country are harmful to Poland’s economic development. What we have to do is to reduce bureaucratic barriers and improve the legal and environmental conditions in which private companies, including foreign businesses, operate. The state’s role in the economy should be concentrated on creating the best conditions for all private sector activity. Thus, the government’s increased role, proclaimed by minister Morawiecki – a situation in which the economy and the establishment of special holdings is run and owned by the state and financed from the budget, with managers chosen by politicians – will not bring good results. The money put into the economy should be used effectively and that is done best by private companies in all countries. I hope that minister Morawiecki, who is so suspicious towards foreign investors, will become aware that economic cooperation between local governments and foreign investors, which was so strongly supported by PO, is desirable and effective. It pushes private capital into our economy and creates quality jobs. Nevertheless, I am afraid that the present troublesome political situation in Poland will discourage investors from putting their money into our country. So, the damage done by the PiS government – running economic and financial policy focused on spending public money – will force us to prepare a corrective program for the economy. Do you see the need and possibility for closer cooperation between PO and other opposition parties, including the party led by Ryszard Petru, in the fight against PiS and, in the long term, in preparing a common program for the next parliamentary election? Civic Platform is ready for effective cooperation with opposition parties, and maybe we could work together preparing a common outlook for the next elections. If the PiS government forces our state into debt and continues its present internal and foreign policy, which is harmful for our country, I think that we should be ready to work out a common program for a future government. We have to convince Poles that if it is necessary, we will create an anti-PiS coalition, because the most important task is to maintain a stable democracy and a strong international position, and to do so we have to remove PiS from power. When you look abroad, which party leader, who was in opposition and later won an election, could be an inspiration to you? I think that it would be Tony Blair, the leader of the Labour Party in Britain, who after years in opposition remodeled his party and led it to election victory. He based his party on some old principles, but rebuilt it, changed it in many aspects and won the support of voters. He was an effective leader who was not afraid to make some unpopular decisions, which he did in the best interests of Britain and Europe. Are you optimistic, when working on the current remodeling process and the future of Civic Platform? Yes, I have to be, I want to be, and I am an optimist. We are opening a new chapter in the workings of the party, and a new beginning in communicating with Poles. Civic Platform has a new leader, we have new people in our party leadership, and together we will convince Poles that it is possible to achieve anything we all aspire to – that we will win, and lead our country to success and Poles to a better and safer life. I strongly believe in this. u