Document #1258123
Freedom House (Author)
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National Democratic Governance | 3.25 | 3.50 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 2.75 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.75 |
Electoral Process | 2.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 1.75 | 1.50 | 1.25 | 1.25 | 1.25 | 1.50 | 1.50 |
Civil Society | 1.50 | 1.25 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 |
Independent Media | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.00 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.75 |
Local Democratic Governance | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.00 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 |
Judicial Framework and Independence | 2.25 | 2.50 | 2.25 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.75 |
Corruption | 3.00 | 3.00 | 2.75 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 3.50 |
Democracy Score | 2.36 | 2.39 | 2.25 | 2.32 | 2.21 | 2.14 | 2.18 | 2.18 | 2.21 | 2.32 |
NOTE: The ratings reflect the consensus of Freedom House, its academic advisers, and the author(s) of this report. If consensus cannot be reached, Freedom House is responsible for the final ratings. The ratings are based on a scale of 1 to 7, with 1 representing the highest level of democratic progress and 7 the lowest. The Democracy Score is an average of ratings for the categories tracked in a given year. The opinions expressed in this report are those of the author(s).
The year 2015 brought immense political change in Poland. It marked the end of two terms in power for the coalition of the center-right Civic Platform (PO) and Polish People’s Party (PSL), as the socially conservative Law and Justice (PiS) won the May presidential election and secured a majority of seats in the parliament in October. The new government immediately embarked on an ambitious plan for institutional and constitutional reforms in the judiciary, media, and educational system, as well as in policy toward the European Union (EU).
PiS’s victories were hardly expected at the beginning of the year. Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz had managed to keep PO ahead in the polls for several months, the economy continued to improve, and in June, the European Commission ended the application of the “excessive deficit procedure” to Poland, which had led to tight budget controls. The PO-PSL coalition remained generally committed to the liberal democratic status quo, although it was reluctant to openly advocate for domestically controversial issues, such as the adoption of the Istanbul Convention on violence against women.
Incumbent president Bronisław Komorowski, supported by the PO, seemed to have no serious contenders leading into the May elections. However, an uninspiring electoral campaign featuring a number of gaffes on Komorowski’s part and the rise of protest voters who supported maverick populist and rock musician Paweł Kukiz caused Komorowski to narrowly lose to the PiS member of the European Parliament, Andrzej Duda.
The results of the presidential election were symptomatic of growing popular dissatisfaction with the ruling coalition. Just as Komorowski failed to retain his 2010 electorate, the PO’s ratings started to decline. The coalition was unable to counter the momentum fueled by Duda’s victory, Kukiz’s anti-establishment rhetoric, and PiS’s skillful parliamentary campaign, which revolved around a promise of “positive change.” While the coalition was handling multiple crises, including major protests by miners, teachers, and nurses, it was dealt another blow in June, when secret recordings of its prominent politicians started to emerge once again, reigniting the 2014 “Waitergate” scandal. A prompt cabinet reshuffle only strengthened the impression of weakness.
The October parliamentary elections were a resounding victory for the PiS, which won 235 of 460 seats and formed Poland’s first one-party government since 1989. The results still left the PiS 72 seats short of the supermajority needed to amend the constitution, but this did not stop the new government from taking on an agenda that many considered nothing short of revolutionary. In cooperation with President Duda, the PiS effectively nullified the October election of five judges to the Constitutional Tribunal and passed a law that is widely expected to paralyze the work of the court. Before the end of the year, it also passed amendments politicizing public media appointments and firing en masse all senior civil servants in ministries and central public institutions.
The new government passed all of these legislative acts with a swift nonstandard parliamentary path, bypassing public consultations and regulatory tests. Most importantly, the chief decision-maker behind PiS’s agenda has been party chairman Jarosław Kaczyński, who has dominated both President Duda and Prime Minister Beata Szydło’s decisions while formally remaining outside of the regular system of checks and balances.
Responding to the PiS’s aggressive agenda, in late November citizens formed a new grassroots civic movement called the Committee for the Defense of Democracy (KOD). With support from liberal media outlets and opposition parties (.Nowoczesna and the PO), KOD quickly organized mass protests in Warsaw and other major cities, with additional demonstrations expected in 2016.
Score Changes:
As a result, Poland’s Democracy Score declined from 2.21 to 2.32.
Outlook for 2016: With a parliamentary majority and a supportive president, PiS will tighten its control over state institutions. Far-reaching reforms have already started in the judiciary, public media, and civil service; in 2016 there will be vivid public debate on reforms in education, healthcare, and the pension system. PiS is also likely to reform the electoral system. The government will be forced to confront public dissent, which could begin to take more radical forms. In foreign policy, Poland will maintain its Atlanticist orientation but will act more assertively toward the EU and Germany than the previous government and may adopt a more hawkish stance toward Russia. Given the ruling party’s track record of rule-bending and disregard for public consultations, the state of Polish democracy will continue to deteriorate.
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3.25 | 3.50 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 2.75 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.75 |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 1.75 | 1.50 | 1.25 | 1.25 | 1.25 | 1.50 | 1.50 |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1.50 | 1.25 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2.25 | 2.25 | 2.00 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.75 |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2.25 | 2.25 | 2.00 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2.25 | 2.50 | 2.25 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.75 |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3.00 | 3.00 | 2.75 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 3.50 |
Authors: Piotr Arak and Piotr Żakowiecki
Piotr Arak is a senior analyst for social affairs at the Polityka Insight Center for Policy Analysis in Warsaw. He is a PhD candidate in public policy at the University of Warsaw and a graduate of social policy and statistical methods in business. Piotr Żakowiecki is an analyst for social affairs at Polityka Insight and a graduate of the London School of Economics and the National University of Singapore.
The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of their employers.
[1]“Ewa Kopacz podsumowuje rok rządów” [Ewa Kopacz sums up her year in office], Onet.pl, 30 September 2015, http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/kraj/ewa-kopacz-podsumowuje-rok-rzadow-po/9e6s87
[2] “Waitergate” refers to wiretapped conversations between Polish politicians, businessmen, lobbyists, and other public figures over expensive dinners funded by taxpayers' money in two upscale restaurants in Warsaw. For more details read last year’s Nations in Transit report: https://freedomhouse.org/report/nations-transit/2015/poland
[3] “Poland leak scandal: Three ministers and Speaker resign,” British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), 10 June 2015, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33089659
[4] Paulina Pacula, “Poland: Waitergate not over yet,” EU Observer, 15 June 2015, https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/129102
[5] “Koniec z arogancją władzy i koniec z pychą. Całe expose Beaty Szydło” [The end of pride and arrogance of power. The whole exposé of Beata Szydło], Tvn24.pl, 18 November 2015, http://www.tvn24.pl/cale-expose-premier-beaty-szydlo,595528,s.html
[6] “Senior civil servants to be appointed,” TheNews.pl, 31 December 2015, http://www.thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/234913,Senior-civil-servants-to-be-appointed
[7] Kaczyński’s central position has become a given for domestic and foreign commentators. This impression has been cemented by several accolades, including several ‘Man of the Year’ titles and topping rankings of influence. See Katarzyna Skrzydłowska-Kalukin, “40 najbardziej wpływowych Polaków” [40 most-influential Poles], Wprost 49/2015, 2015, http://www.wprost.pl/ar/526245/40-NAJBARDZIEJ-WPLYWOWYCH-POLAKOW ; Jan von Puhl, “Mann aus Eisen” [Man of Iron], Der Spiegel 51/2015, 12 December 2015, http://goo.gl/XqOAx7 Jan Cienski, “The king of Poland,” Politico, 27 October 2015, http://goo.gl/i8fthx; and Henry Foy, “Jaroslaw Kaczynski: the power behind the Polish throne,” Financial Times, 23 October 2015, http://goo.gl/b18LQA
[8] It is important to note that Poland has had several politicians who held influence beyond their official status. From 1997 to 2001, when Jerzy Buzek was the prime minister, the unofficial head of state was Marian Krzaklewski, an MP and head of the Solidarity trade union. In 2005, when Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz became the prime minister, Jarosław Kaczyński’s office was the actual center of power. In 2010, former prime minister Jan Krzysztof Bielecki became the head of the economic council to the prime minister, but in reality his role was bigger than that of a deputy prime minister.
[9] Jan Tokarski, “Koniec demokracji czy liberalizmu?” [End of democracy or liberalism?], Kultura Liberalna, 4 December 2015, http://kulturaliberalna.pl/2015/12/04/tokarski-pis-demokracja-komentarz/
[10] “Poland announces refugee numbers,” Radio Poland, 20 October 2015, http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/225661,Poland-announces-refugee-numbers
[11] Marta Jaroszewicz, “Kryzysowa migracja Ukraińców” [The migration of Ukrainians in times of crisis], Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW), 19 October 2015, http://www.osw.waw.pl/pl/publikacje/komentarze-osw/2015-10-19/kryzysowa-migracja-ukraincow
[12] Maciej Deja, “Polska w obliczu fali imigracji. “Jeśli konflikt na Ukrainie się zaostrzy, to może być katastrofa”” [Poland to face a wave of immigration. If the conflict in Ukraine intensifies, it could be a disaster], Polska Times, 29 June 2015, http://www.polskatimes.pl/artykul/3918019,polska-w-obliczu-fali-imigracji-jesli-konflikt-na-ukrainie-sie-zaostrzy-to-moze-byc-katastrofa,id,t.html
[13]“Rząd m.in. o programie dla Śląska i restrukturyzacji górnictwa” [The government on the program for the region and the restructuring of the mining industry], Onet.pl, 29 June 2015, http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/slask/rzad-m-in-o-programie-dla-slaska-i-restrukturyzacji-gornictwa/fkc9q8
[14] “I edycja konkursu o Puchar Pytii rozstrzygnięta” [The first edition of the Cup of Pythia resolved], Center for Quantitative Research in Political Science of the Jagiellonian University, 17 June 2015, http://www.cbip.uj.edu.pl/pytia2015
[15] “Dziesięć wypowiedzi Bronisława Komorowskiego którymi sam sobie zaszkodził” [Ten quotes from Bronisław Komorowski which hurt only him], Onet.pl, 27 May 2015, http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/tylko-w-onecie/dziesiec-wypowiedzi-bronislawa-komorowskiego-ktorymi-sam-sobie-zaszkodzil/ermmdf
[16] Another controversial right-wing politician and MEP, Janusz Korwin-Mikke, got 3.3 percent. Kukiz and Korwin-Mikke were set to cooperate during the parliamentary elections, but Kukiz eventually decided to compete on his own.
[17] “Wybory prezydenckie 2015: PKW ogłosiła oficjalne wyniki. Andrzej Duda prezydentem” [Presidential Election 2015: PKW announced the official results. Andrzej Duda is the President], Onet.pl, 25 May 2015, http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/tylko-w-onecie/wybory-prezydenckie-2015-znamy-juz-oficjalne-wyniki-podane-przez-pkw/m5xlbg
[18] PiS also won an overwhelming majority in the Senate (the higher house of parliament). PiS won 62 seats, PO won 34, and PSL won one seat. Three independent candidates also managed to enter the Senate. See Marcin Maj, “Oficjalne wyniki wyborów do Sejmu i Senatu 2015” [Official results of the elections to Sejm and Senate in 2015], Dziennik Internautów, 27 October 2015, http://di.com.pl/oficjalne-wyniki-wyborow-do-sejmu-i-senatu-2015-53642
[19] Wojciech Czuchnowski and Jacek Harłukowicz, “Wybory 2015 r. Kukiz wprowadził do Sejmu narodowców” [Elections 2015. Kukiz helped the nationalists get elected to the parliament], Wyborcza.pl, 27 October 2015, http://wyborcza.pl/1,75478,19093230,wybory-2015-r-kukiz-wprowadzil-do-sejmu-narodowcow.html
[20] “Wyniki wyborów do Sejmu RP” [Results of elections to the Sejm], Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza [National Electoral Commission], accessed 21 March 2016, http://parlament2015.pkw.gov.pl/349_Wyniki_Sejm
[21] “Niska frekwencja w referendum to kompromitacja klasy politycznej” [The low turnout in the referendum is discrediting the political class], Tvn24.pl, 7 September 2015, http://fakty.tvn24.pl/opinie,56/niska-frekwencja-w-referendum-to-kompromitacja-klasy-politycznej,575014.html
[22] “Senat odrzucił wniosek prezydenta Dudy. Nie będzie referendum 25 października! "Solidarność" oburzona: Precz z Platformą!” [The Senate rejected the request of President Duda. There will be no referendum on October 25th! "Solidarity" outraged: Down with the Platform!” wPolityce.pl, 4 September 2015, http://wpolityce.pl/polityka/264334-senat-odrzucil-wniosek-prezydenta-dudy-nie-bedzie-referendum-25-pazdziernika-solidarnosc-oburzona-precz-z-platforma
[23] According to a survey from 2013, about 18 percent of Poles do some volunteer work in a NGO, and about one in ten does something for his or her religious group or church. See Stowarzyszenie Klon/Jawor, “Zaangażowanie społeczne Polek i Polaków” [Social participation of Poles], The Malopolska Region, 2014, http://www.malopolskie.pl/Pliki/2015/20140407_RAPORT_final-1.pdf
[24] 47 percent of Poles write off one percent of their income tax to NGOs, but most of the money goes to fewer than 10 organizations. Some experts argue that this mechanism did not help the financial conditions of civil society. See Piotr Skwirowski, “Rekordowe wpływy z 1 proc. podatku. Najwięksi zgarnizają pulę” [Record revenues from the one percent], Wyborcza.biz, 7 October 2015, http://wyborcza.biz/biznes/1,100896,18981376,rekordowe-wplywy-z-1-proc-podatku-najwieksi-zgarniaja-pule.html
[25] Stowarzyszenie Klon/Jawor, “Podstawowe fakty o organizacjach pozarządowych” [Basic facts about NGOs], ngo.pl, 2013, http://www.ngo.pl/PodstawoweFakty_2012_raport/ebook/content/PodstawoweFaktyNGO_2012_KlonJawor_raport.pdf
[26] Stowarzyszenie Klon/Jawor, “Wizerunek organizacji pozarządowych. Raport z badania” [Image of NGOs. Study report], ngo.pl, May 2015, http://wiadomosci.ngo.pl/files/wiadomosci.ngo.pl/public/dokumenty_2014/raport_wizerunek.pdf
[27] “Konferencja Episkopatu Polski zabrała głos w sprawie lekcji religii w szkołach” [Polish Bishops' Conference spoke on religion class in schools], Polskie Radio, 3 February 2016, http://www.polskieradio.pl/5/3/Artykul/1578288,Konferencja-Episkopatu-Polski-zabrala-glos-w-sprawie-lekcji-religii-w-szkolach
[28] “Sejm odrzucił obywatelski projekt o całkowitym zakazie aborcji” [The Sejm rejected the civic project that banned abortion], Kai.pl, 9 September 2015, http://ekai.pl/wydarzenia/polska/x92213/sejm-odrzucil-obywatelski-projekt-o-calkowitym-zakazie-aborcji/; “Organizacje pro-life chcą zakazać pigułki dzień po. Zebrały 200 tys. podpisów” [Pro-life organizations want to ban the morning after pill. They gathered 200,000 signatures], Wyborcza.pl, 9 October 2015, http://wyborcza.pl/1,75478,18996984,organizacje-pro-life-chca-zakazac-pigulki-dzien-po-zebraly.html
[29] Up until the end of 2015 the PiS government did not appoint an equal opportunities ombudsman, who was customarily a minister at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.
[30] “Zapis przebiegu posiedzenia komisji” [Recording of a joint session of Sejm’s Foreign Affairs and Justice and Human Rights commissions], Sejm, 5 February 2015, http://www.sejm.gov.pl/sejm7.nsf/biuletyn.xsp?skrnr=SPC-220
[31] Tomasz Golonko, “Warszawa: trwa demonstracja narodowców przeciw uchodźcom” [Warsaw: nationalist demonstration against refugees takes place], Gazeta.pl, 12 September 2015, http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/1,114871,18801369,warszawa-trwa-demonstracja-naradowcow-przeciw-uchodzcom-ogladaj.html
[32] Tomasz Pajączek, “Spalili kukłę przedstawiającą Żyda pod oknami ratusza. Jest reakcja prezydenta Wrocławia” [They burned an effigy depicting a Jew under the windows of City Hall. The reaction of the president of Wroclaw], Onet.pl, 19 November 2015, http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/wroclaw/spalili-kukle-przedstawiajaca-zyda-pod-oknami-ratusza-jest-reakcja-prezydenta/qrd92x
[33] “Policja o liczebności manifestacji PiS: Dwa razy liczniejsza, od tej organizowanej przez KOD” [Police on the number of people at the PiS manifestation: Two times more than at KOD’s], Dziennik.pl, 13 December 2015, http://wiadomosci.dziennik.pl/wydarzenia/artykuly/508041,policja-o-liczebnosci-manifestacji-pis-w-warszawie.html
[34] Wiktor Szary and Pawel Florkiewicz, “Thousands rally to support Polish government after opposition protest,” Reuters, 13 December 2015, http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-poland-protests-idUKKBN0TW0L820151213
[35] Piotr Żakowiecki, “How can trade unions boost their influence,” Polityka Insight, 9 July 2015, http://www.politykainsight.pl/en/socialaffairs/tradeunions/1621949,1,impact-extension-of-the-right-to-organise-in-trade-unions.read
[36] Piotr Arak, “Social dialogue: How is the new council meant to work,” Polityka Insight, 26 March 2015, http://www.politykainsight.pl/en/socialaffairs/socialpolicy/1613749,1,solution-how-is-the-new-social-dialogue-council-supposed-to-work.read
[37] Good data is hard to find on the topic. According to a KRRiT report, in 2014 foreign-owned companies RMF and Eurozet held 40 percent of overall revenues among radio broadcasters. 76 percent of overall press circulation was attributed to foreign-owned publishers. Less than 40 percent of television viewership was attributed to channels owned by foreign companies. See “Informacja o podstawowych problemach radiofonii i telewizji w 2014 roku” [Information about the basic problems of radio and television in 2014], National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT), March 2015, http://www.krrit.gov.pl/Data/Files/_public/Portals/0/konferencje/sprawozdania/informacja-www.pdf
[38] Paweł Grzegorczyk, “Czy musimy repolonizować media? Analiza zagranicznego kapitału w Polsce” [Do we need to re-polonise the media? Analysis of foreign capital in Poland], Jagielloński24, 14 September 2015, http://jagiellonski24.pl/2015/09/14/czy-musimy-repolonizowac-media-analiza-zagranicznego-kapitalu-w-polsce/
[39] Krajowa Rada Radiofonii i Telewizji (KRRiT), a non-governmental regulatory agency with members appointed by Sejm for fixed terms.
[40] “Informacja o podstawowych problemach radiofonii i telewizji w 2014 roku” [Information about the basic problems of radio and television in 2014], National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT), March 2015, http://www.krrit.gov.pl/Data/Files/_public/Portals/0/konferencje/sprawozdania/informacja-www.pdf
[41] “Spadła sprzedaż kioskowa wszystkich dzienników ogólnopolskich. ‘Rzeczpospolita’ najbardziej w dół” [All national daily newspapers sales fell. ‘Rzeczpospolita’ lost the most], Wirtualne Media, 17 August 2015, http://www.wirtualnemedia.pl/artykul/spadla-sprzedaz-kioskowa-wszystkich-dziennikow-ogolnopolskich-rzeczpospolita-najbardziej-w-dol; “Tylko ‘Tygodnik Powszechny’ na plusie po I półroczu. ‘Wprost’ stracił najwięcej” [Only ‘Tygodnik Powszechny’ gained in first half of the year. ‘Wprost’ lost the most], Wirtualne Media, 20 September 2015, http://www.wirtualnemedia.pl/artykul/tylko-tygodnik-powszechny-na-plusie-po-i-polroczu-wprost-stracil-najwiecej
[42] Emilia Świętochowska, “Za ostentacyjne pogardzanie premierem należy się kara” [A penalty is justified for demonstrative denigration of the PM], Gazeta Prawna, 22 September 2015, http://goo.gl/6SEfa1
[43] “TK nie uznał racji Dody. Kara za obrazę uczuć religijnych zgodna z konstytucją” [CT rejected Doda’s arguments. Penalty for religious defamation is not unconstitutional], TVP.info, 6 October 2015, http://goo.gl/nFgv1g
[44] “Obraza uczuć religijnych (art. 196)” [Religious defamation, article 196], statystyka.policja.pl, accessed 21 March 2016, http://goo.gl/Cetxsl
[45] They fall under the Offense Code rather than the Criminal Code.
[46] Official data on airtime showed that from 7 to 27 of September, PO politicians were visible in public television for nearly 17 hours, PiS’s for 15.5 hours, ZL’s for almost five hours, PSL’s for more than three hours, Nowoczesna’s for two hours, Kukiz 15’s for 42 minutes, Korwin’s for 19 minutes, and Razem’s for eight seconds. All committees registered nationwide electoral lists and should have received equal treatment according to public media legislation. See BIP, “Demokracja Telewizyjna: czas antenowy partii i komitetów wyborczych w telewizji publicznej od 7 Września do 27 Września” [Democracy on television: the airtime of party and electoral committees on public television from 7 September to 27 September], accessed 21 March 2016, https://goo.gl/XMZuxL
[47] “Dziennikarze opisujący aferę taśmową zwolnieni z tajemnicy dziennikarskiej. ‘Uderzenie w wolność mediów’” [Journalists covering the wiretapping scandal taken off the confidentiality of sources obligation. ‘A blow to media independence’], Wirtualne Media, 5 October 2015, http://goo.gl/QLs4lp
[48] “Zarząd RDC o zwolnieniu Elizy Michalik: nieakceptowalny styl prowadzenia audycji i sposób wyrażania opinii” [RDC’s board on Eliza Michalik dismissal: unacceptable way of running the program], Wirtualne Media, 19 March 2015, http://goo.gl/18Puj2
[49] In her comment, Wanat criticised activists campaigning against lowering the school age. As the activists had been associated with PiS, the dismissal was considered politically motivated. See “Towarzystwo Dziennikarskie protestuje ws. Wanat. “Nie wolno zwalniać za ironiczny wpis”” [Towarzystwo Dziennikarskie protests in Wanat case. ‘Dismissal for an ironic comment is unacceptable’], Wyborcza.pl, 16 September 2015, http://goo.gl/U3xHtv; “Ewa Wanat dyscyplinarnie zwolniona z Radia RDC” [Ewa Wanat dismissed from RDC radio on disciplinary grounds], Wyborcza.pl, 14 September 2015, http://goo.gl/WXqW8V
[50] “Karolina Lewicka zawieszona po kłótni w TVP Info z prof. Glińskim” [Karolina Lewicka suspended after a row with prof. Gliński on TVP Info], Wirtualne Media, 23 November 2015, http://goo.gl/Sv2PjS
[51] “PiS zmieni szefów mediów publicznych. Będzie nowy abonament” [PiS to replace heads of public media. New television license to be introduced], Wirtualne Media, 27 October 2015, http://goo.gl/PplS8d
[52] “Ustawa z dnia 30 grudnia 2015 r. o zmianie ustawy o radiofonii i telewizji” [Law of December 30th, 2015 on changing the law on radio and television], Sejm, 30 December 2015, http://goo.gl/sCRVx9
[53] “KRRiT: Ustawa PiS łamie konstytucyjną niezależność mediów” [KRRiT: PiS’s bill violates the constitutional independence of the media], Wyborcza.pl, 30 December 2015, http://bit.ly/1kYUdsQ; “Dyrektorzy TVP1, TVP2, TAI, TVP Kultura i kadr podali się do dymisji” [Directors of TVP1, TVP2, TAI, TVP Culture and HR resigned], Wirtualne Media, 1 January 2016, http://goo.gl/xNuV5O
[54] “Posłanka Pawłowicz: za kilka dni uczciwe informacje w mediach publicznych, dziennikarze-kłamczuchy na resocjalizację do o. Rydzyka” [MP Pawłowicz: public media to start reporting honestly in a few days, fibster journalists to be schooled by Father Rydzyk], Wirtualne Media, 30 December 2015, http://bit.ly/1mPlwXC
[55] Jakub Majmurek, “Czyje są media publiczne?” [Who owns public media?], Wirtualne Media, 5 January 2016, http://goo.gl/QumH7c
[56] “Gorąca debata w Sejmie. Lichocka wylicza dziennikarzy zwolnionych przez Platformę i punktuje ws. mediów publicznych” [Heated debate in Sejm. Lichocka enumerates journalists sacked by PO and scores on public media], wPolityce.pl, 30 December 2015, http://goo.gl/8ScoeJ
[57] “Terminarz wyborów w trakcie kadencji – 2014–2018” [Schedule of mid-term elections 2014–2018], Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza [National Electoral Commission], accessed 23 March 2016, http://pkw.gov.pl/pliki/1458219209_Terminarz%20wybor%C3%B3w%20w%20trakcie%20kadencji%20-%202014-2018.pdf
[58] Ewelina Latosek, “Mandat radnej wygaszony” [Councillor’s mandate annulled], WPR24, 8 March 2015, http://goo.gl/RX4zIi
[59] Katarzyna Włodkowska, “Pomorze. Sąd unieważnił wybory do rady miejskiej w Lęborku i Czersku” [Pomerania. Court annulled the results of city council elections in Lębork and Czersk], Wyborcza.pl, 20 January 2015, http://goo.gl/vcdPx8
[60] “Ustawa z dnia 9 października 2015 r. o związkach metropolitalnych” [Law of 9 October 2015 on metropolitan districts], Dziennik Ustaw Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, 18 November 2015, http://goo.gl/miJ9pK
[61] Ministerstwo Infrastruktury i Rozwoju, “Fundusze unijne: co dla samorządów w nowej perspektywie” [EU Funds: what can local governments expect in the new term], Polskie Radio, 28 March 2015, https://goo.gl/wnMHpN
[62] Anna Petroff, “Wyniki głosowania w II budżecie partycypacyjnym” [Results of voting for the second participatory budget], City of Warsaw, 8 July 2015, http://goo.gl/iUEAHU
[63] “Budżet obywatelski: jak wprowadzają go polskie miasta?” [Participatory budgeting: how do Polish cities implement it?], Portal Samorządowy, 28 May 2015, http://goo.gl/qD9Xxd
[64] The increase in responsibilities, as well as an arguable lack of sufficient preparation of prosecutors, was considered a major weakness of the reform. As a result there was a considerable drop in the number of prosecutions, and many cases were dropped without prejudice. Ministry of Justice officials, however, defended the reform, blaming the courts and prosecutors for the delays and irregularities associated with the implementation. See Dorota Kowalska, “Barbara Piwnik: Prokuratorzy i adwokaci nie są przygotowani do nowych zasad” [Barbara Piwnik: Prosecutors and attorneys are not ready for the new rules], Dziennik Bałtycki, 2 October 2015, http://goo.gl/sf9aO2; “Królikowski: Nowy proces karny jest jak remont” [Królikowski: The new criminal procedure is like a renovation], Rzeczpospolita, 9 December 2015, http://goo.gl/uGMVGl
[65] “Prawo o ustroju sądów powszechnych, Wyrok w sprawie sygn. akt Kp 1/15” [Law on the organization of common courts of law, Ruling in case Kp 1/15], Trybunał Konstytucyjny, 14 October 2015, http://goo.gl/n5dQHQ
[66] Changes included allowing similar cases to be investigated collectively, the simpler ones to be investigated without the parties present, and setting deadlines for rulings. For full draft, see “Projekt ustawy o Trybunale Konstytucyjnym (Druk nr 1590)” [Draft law on Constitutional Tribunal (Sign. no 1590)], Sejm, 10 July 2013, http://goo.gl/LRtXx5
[67] “Wyrok w sprawie sygn. akt K 35/15 (Nowelizacja ustawy o Trybunale Konstytucyjnym)” [Ruling in case K 35/15 (Amendment to Law on Constitutional Tribunal)], Trybunał Konstytucyjny, 9 December 2015, http://goo.gl/7TIxG8
[68] “Sejm wybrał pięciu nowych sędziów TK. PiS: PO złamała konstytucję” [Sejm elected five new CT judges. PiS: PO violated the constitution], Polskie Radio, 2 December 2015, http://goo.gl/Z13gTc
[69] “Komunikat po rozprawie w sprawie K 34/15” [A post-session communique for case K 34/15], Trybunał Konstytucyjny, 3 December 2015, http://goo.gl/BBYlOR
[70] “Wyrok TK nie wejdzie w życie? Według Kancelarii Premiera jest nieważny” [CT’s ruling will not come into force? PM’s Chancellery considers it null and void], niezalezna.pl, 11 December 2015, http://goo.gl/vg0aF1
[71] Anna Śledzińska-Simon, “Midnight Judges: Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal Caught Between Political Fronts,” Verfassungsblog, 23 November 2015, http://verfassungsblog.de/midnight-judges-polands-constitutional-tribunal-caught-between-political-fronts
[72] Nina Szczęch, “PiS otworzy drogę do uchylania immunitetów” [PiS to enable immunity waiving], Polityka Insight, 7 December 2015, http://goo.gl/lo3LL0
[73] Ewa Siedlecka, “Kadry decydują o wszystkim. Kogo teraz pozbędzie się PiS” [The cadres decide on everything. Whom PiS will get rid of next], Wyborcza.pl, 5 December 2015, http://goo.gl/qF9E89; Paulina Marzęcka, “Jak pozbyć się Rzecznika Praw Obywatelskich? Kolejna nowelizacja PiS” [How to get rid of the Ombudsman? PiS’s newest amendment], Newsweek Polska, 18 December 2015, http://goo.gl/FvzsnK; Joanna Cieśla, “Adam Bodnar: rzecznik na celowniku PiS” [Adam Bodnar: the Ombudsman targeted by PiS], Polityka.pl, 27 December 2015, http://goo.gl/dsZrtJ
[74] “Poselski projekt ustawy–Przepisy wprowadzające ustawę –Prawo o prokuraturze” [Parliamentary draft law – regulation introducing law on prosecution], Sejm, 24 December 2015, http://bit.ly/1mPpKi0
[75] “Korupcja, samorząd: samorządowcy wśród najbardziej skorumpowanych grup zawodowych” [Corruption, local government: local government among most corrupt professions], Portal Samorzadowy, 15 September 2015, http://www.portalsamorzadowy.pl/polityka-i-spoleczenstwo/korupcja-samorzad-samorzadowcy-wsrod-najbardziej-skorumpowanych-grup-zawodowych,73419.html
[76] “CBA w siedzibie warszawskiej giełdy. Prezes wydał dokumenty w sprawie prywatyzacji Ciechu” [Central Anticorruption Bureau in the Wasrsaw Stock Exchange. The president shared documents on the privatization of Ciech], TVP.info, 15 October 2015, http://www.tvp.info/22181706/cba-w-siedzibie-warszawskiej-gieldy-prezes-wydal-dokumenty-w-sprawie-prywatyzacji-ciechu
[77] “Cezary Grabarczyk podał się do dymisji. Premier ją przyjęła“ [Cezary Grabarczyk steped down. The PM approved], Tvn24.pl, 29 April 2015, http://www.tvn24.pl/wiadomosci-z-kraju,3/cezary-grabarczyk-podal-sie-do-dymisji,538050.html
[78] “PiS i PO o zarzutach dla Janika: Korupcja była i jest problemem, Katowicka prokuratura jest ostatnio bardzo aktywna” [PiS and PO on Janik charges: ‘Corruption was and is a problem,’ ‘Katowice prosecutor's office has been very active recently], Gazeta Prawna, 29 September 2015, http://www.gazetaprawna.pl/artykuly/896724,pis-i-po-o-zarzutach-dla-janika.html
[79] “Mariusz Kamiński ułaskawiony, ale sąd i tak zajmie się jego apelacją” [Mariusz Kaminski pardoned, but the court will still take care of his appeal], RMF24.pl, 1 December 2015, http://www.rmf24.pl/fakty/polska/news-mariusz-kaminski-ulaskawiony-ale-sad-i-tak-zajmie-sie-jego-a,nId,1930836
[80] “PiS MPs demand dismissal of coalition MPs amid corruption scandal,” The Warsaw Voice, 18 July 2014, http://www.warsawvoice.pl/WVpage/pages/article.php/28892/news
[81] “Nowe fakty ws. sfery podkarpackiej” [New facts in the Podkarpackie affair], Onet.pl, 15 June 2015, http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/rzeszow/nowe-fakty-ws-afery-podkarpackiej/tc42gl
[82] “Koniec sprawy Burego i Kwiatkowskiego“ [The end of Bury and Kwiatkowski case], Rzeczpospolita, 7 October 2015, http://www4.rp.pl/Polityka/151009727-Koniec-sprawy-Burego-i-Kwiatkowskiego.html
[83] Piotr Semeniuk, “Can Kwiatkowski lose the post at the helm of NIK?” Polityka Insight, 1 September 2015, http://www.politykainsight.pl/en/legal/administration/1631465,1,update-allegations-could-lead-to-a-dismissal-of-head-of-nik-krzysztof-kwiatkowski.read
[84] According to the Bill on NIK, the dismissal is possible in three situations: illness, final conviction for a criminal offence (in court or before the State Tribunal), or as a result of making a false vetting statement. The decision to dismiss the head has to be taken by an absolute majority of votes in the Sejm, with the consent of the Senate.
Nations in Transit 2016 - Kazakhstan (Periodical Report, English)