Three decades ago, leading dissident Leszek Moczulski described the Polish communist party "PZPR" as "Paid Traitors, Russia's Lackeys". (In Polish his description would have the same acronym as the Party's.)
Donald Tusk used the same words in the Polish parliament (the Sejm) this week when talking about the opposition, Law and Justice (PiS). In the face of this notable hardening of the prime minister's rhetoric, Rzeczpospolita commissioned a poll to find out what Poland thinks.
Only 29.8% of those surveyed agreed with Tusk's assessment of PiS's loyalty, suggesting that Tusk has gone too far.
Tusk's words come at a particular moment when he appears to be adopting some of the populist rhetoric characteristic for Law and Justice:
- As we reported, Tusk has spent considerable time this week emphasizing the dangers Poland faces from its eastern border, including from "hybrid warfare" including Russian-orchestrated immigration. Generating fear that the "aliens are coming" was a staple of Law and Justice's electoral campaigns as was showing "strength" in the treatment of refugees and other migrants.
- Tusk and KO/PO were frequently criticised in the past for showing lack of PR initiative - permitting Law and Justice to "set the narrative", especially before elections.
- As a PiS-connected judge has now defected to Belarus, Tusk's attack may be part of a misjudged attempt to capitalise on the opposition's weakness in the area of national security.
Poland's rejection of the EU's migration pact may be viewed in a similar light:
Sources: Rzeczpospolita, Radio Poland
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