Voters in Poland cast their ballots on Sunday for the final round of the country's presidential election, a election that reflects the nation's divided identity as being both American- and European-minded.
In the heart of Europe, Poland's resilience has been tested over the centuries, particularly during the tumultuous Soviet era. This period saw a robust Polish resistance, supported by the Catholic Church, that shaped the country's transition to democracy.
Alfred Jarry's 1895 play, Ubu Roi, aptly depicted the sentiments of a nation that, at the time, was effectively non-existent, having been partitioned by Russia, Prussia, and Austria. Poland, which had maintained independence from 1025 to 1795, endured a harrowing disappearance between 1795 and 1918, followed by Soviet control from 1947 to 1989.
The Catholic Church, a formidable force, provided sanctuary and support for the resistance, housing leaders like Lech Walesa, head of the independent trade union Solidarity, which emerged from the shipyards of Gdansk. Another symbol of Polish resilience was Polish Pontiff John Paul II, who reigned from 1978 to 2005 and was a symbol of the vast Polish diaspora in the United States, particularly in New York and the Midwest.
Poland's affinity for the United States is rooted in the belief that the American friend is the best defense against Russian aggression. Warsaw considers the United States its primary arms supplier. This pro-American sentiment is shared by all Polish politicians, with figures like Zbigniew Brzezinski—an American of Polish descent who served as a security advisor to American presidents Lyndon Johnson and Jimmy Carter—reflecting this connection.
Ever since joining the European Union in 2004, Poland has remained a staunch European ally. With 91% of Poles traditionally favorable towards the European Union, "Polexit" is not a popular concept. The country is well-represented in European structures, such as the Visegrad Group (V4) and the "Weimar Triangle" with Germany and France.
Poland has shown immense empathy towards Ukraine, welcoming over a million Ukrainian refugees. Despite complex historical relations, particularly due to World War II massacres committed by Ukrainian nationalists in Volhynia, Poland has been a vocal advocate for Ukraine on the international stage.
During the 2023 presidential election, the PiS candidate Karol Nawrocki, with his slogan "Poland first, Poles first," has promised to maintain Poland's support for Ukraine. However, he hints at potential challenges to the aid provided to Ukrainian refugees if elected. Regardless of domestic policy shifts, Poland's solidarity with Ukraine and its European allies remains a constant.
The Polish police have been active in maintaining law and order while closely monitoring the political landscape, given the country's complex history and ongoing international relations. In the context of general news, discussions about potential changes in Poland's refugee aid policy towards Ukraine have sparked debates among political circles, raising concerns about the future of Polish-Ukrainian relations.
