Sejm replies to EU Parliament's resolution on intolerance

Last Friday the Sejm passed a counter-resolution stating that, "Singular occurrences of intolerance in Poland are very scarce, and are severely criticized by the Polish authorities and therefore are not grounds for generalizations about Polish society". The Civic Platform (PO) blamed the EU criticism on radical coalition parties, whose members are famous for controversial statements. The Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), who had supported the EU resolution, accused right-wing parties of backward views, against the tolerant majority of Polish society. Wojciech Wierzejski from the League of Polish Families (LPR) accused the EU of lying and wrongful accusations. Wierzejski argued that Poland during WWII was a heroic example of tolerance and contributed to saving Jews. Self-Defense leader Andrzej Lepper pointed to Radio Maryja and TV Trwam (associated with the right) as examples of tolerance, which evoked outburst of laughter in the Sejm. (Gazeta Wyborcza, June 24-25, p. 4) J.L.