Tweet
Poland set for EU values clash with Brussels
Gay rights and the death penalty could be flashpoints between Warsaw and Brussels after Poland’s conservatives won presidential elections on Sunday.
Warsaw mayor Lech Kaczynski beat centre-right rival and free marketer Donald Tusk after campaigning on a welfare protection and anti-corruption ticket.
“Polish society, despite all its divisions, must become one as soon as possible. This is a task for me as president,” he said.
But Kaczynski’s coalition government may face internal and external tensions over socially conservative policies and the economy.
The new president – dubbed a “clerical nationalist” by critics– may clash with the EU over his socially conservative views and protectionist stance on the Polish economy.
An outspoken campaigner for the re-introduction of the death penalty, Kaczynski may have to tone down his language as a titular EU head of state.
Abolition of the death penalty is a pre-condition of EU membership and the European Commission can urge “preventative” sanctions against rogue member states that break ranks.
Speaking during the campaign, Lech Kaczynski pledged to re-introduce capital punishment if the right-wing majority in Polish parliament backed the move.
“If parliament agrees upon a law to reintroduce the death penalty I would sign it. I want to be a strong president,” he said.
Article Seven of the EU treaty allows Europe’s leaders to take action if there is “clear risk of a serious [human rights] breach by a member state.”
Discriminatory laws on the basis of sexual orientation could also spark EU action amid concerns over anti-gay statements made by senior conservatives.
Poland’s nominated Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz has come under fire for his views on homosexuality.
“It is unnatural. Family is natural and the state should safeguard the family,” he said earlier this month.
“If such a person tries to infect others with their homosexuality, then the state has to intervene in such an abuse of freedom.”
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso reminded Kaczynski that Poland would be expected to play by the EU’s rules.
“As we face the challenges of globalisation, I am sure that we will be able to work together constructively at a time when the EU requires the engagement of all its members,” he said in a statement.
“Your country, Poland, has already demonstrated its commitment to Europe by bringing about the political and economic reforms necessary for accession to the EU in a short space of time.”
On the domestic front, Tusk’s Civic Platform are set to continue pressing within the Kaczynski coalition for economic reforms, including lower taxes.
The Polish zloty fell on world currency markets on Monday reflecting concerns that Kaczynski’s victory will slow down Polish economic and euro membership fiscal reforms.
Kaczynski’s Law and Justice and Tusk’s Civic Platform parties – from the conservative and neo-liberal centre-right respectively – are expected to conclude talks by Wednesday and to form the new Polish government on Saturday.
Early results on Monday morning – from 91 per cent of ballots – gave Kaczynski 54.5 per cent ahead of 45.5 per cent for Tusk.
http://www.eupolitix.com/EN/News/200...66371e5af2.htm
Gay rights and the death penalty could be flashpoints between Warsaw and Brussels after Poland’s conservatives won presidential elections on Sunday.
Warsaw mayor Lech Kaczynski beat centre-right rival and free marketer Donald Tusk after campaigning on a welfare protection and anti-corruption ticket.
“Polish society, despite all its divisions, must become one as soon as possible. This is a task for me as president,” he said.
But Kaczynski’s coalition government may face internal and external tensions over socially conservative policies and the economy.
The new president – dubbed a “clerical nationalist” by critics– may clash with the EU over his socially conservative views and protectionist stance on the Polish economy.
An outspoken campaigner for the re-introduction of the death penalty, Kaczynski may have to tone down his language as a titular EU head of state.
Abolition of the death penalty is a pre-condition of EU membership and the European Commission can urge “preventative” sanctions against rogue member states that break ranks.
Speaking during the campaign, Lech Kaczynski pledged to re-introduce capital punishment if the right-wing majority in Polish parliament backed the move.
“If parliament agrees upon a law to reintroduce the death penalty I would sign it. I want to be a strong president,” he said.
Article Seven of the EU treaty allows Europe’s leaders to take action if there is “clear risk of a serious [human rights] breach by a member state.”
Discriminatory laws on the basis of sexual orientation could also spark EU action amid concerns over anti-gay statements made by senior conservatives.
Poland’s nominated Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz has come under fire for his views on homosexuality.
“It is unnatural. Family is natural and the state should safeguard the family,” he said earlier this month.
“If such a person tries to infect others with their homosexuality, then the state has to intervene in such an abuse of freedom.”
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso reminded Kaczynski that Poland would be expected to play by the EU’s rules.
“As we face the challenges of globalisation, I am sure that we will be able to work together constructively at a time when the EU requires the engagement of all its members,” he said in a statement.
“Your country, Poland, has already demonstrated its commitment to Europe by bringing about the political and economic reforms necessary for accession to the EU in a short space of time.”
On the domestic front, Tusk’s Civic Platform are set to continue pressing within the Kaczynski coalition for economic reforms, including lower taxes.
The Polish zloty fell on world currency markets on Monday reflecting concerns that Kaczynski’s victory will slow down Polish economic and euro membership fiscal reforms.
Kaczynski’s Law and Justice and Tusk’s Civic Platform parties – from the conservative and neo-liberal centre-right respectively – are expected to conclude talks by Wednesday and to form the new Polish government on Saturday.
Early results on Monday morning – from 91 per cent of ballots – gave Kaczynski 54.5 per cent ahead of 45.5 per cent for Tusk.
http://www.eupolitix.com/EN/News/200...66371e5af2.htm
Death penalty
And of course he is a big friend of GWB... with that role model, I think it's unlikely something better will turn out.
Poland, I am dissapointed.
but he wasn't man enough and whined around about family being the only thing that's natural.. well, NO, it's NOT duh
Comment