Not all leading international newspapers have devoted separate articles to the Polish elections. In several cases, the election receives attention in the context of another, more "international" issue - most commonly the war in Ukraine.
The Spectator: How the grain crisis and more broadly the war effort has been affected by electioneering.
The UK's right-leaning, highbrow Spectator discusses Poland's election in a column principally concerned with the grain crisis. Svitlana Morenets, a Ukrainian journalist writing for the UK magazine, has penned an article, "Can Poland and Ukraine end their grain spat?" She writes:
"Poland is home to more than a million farmers, constituting a significant electoral force for the ruling Law and Justice party. With parliamentary elections scheduled for 15 October, the party is going for populist statements in pursuit of the farmers’ votes. But not only theirs: some Poles are dissatisfied with how much money is spent on supporting Ukraine and almost a million refugees who receive the same social benefits and payments as they do."
The Guardian: In this election Poland has turned to attacking itself through its rival parties, a hangover from traumatic experiences of the past where Poland was attacked from different sides - but from the outside.
The liberal-left, highbrow Guardian makes several detailed points about how Poland's history has brought the country to the present moment - a bitter 2023 election. Simon Tisdall's article carries the "title" "All eyes in Europe are focused on Poland’s divisive election fight. But it’s not a pretty sight".
However, the article reveals a blind spot in the Guardian's reporting on Poland: it assumes that Law and Justice's appeal is "right wing" and is part of a European-wide "right surge". Commentators in Poland, such as Professor Antoni Dudek, have emphasized that Law and Justice was not successful in elections when it only ran on right-wing ideological issues. Only the addition of huge welfare programs like 500+ turned the tide for the party.
The Straits Times: Poland's election risks weakening western alliances.
Singapore's leading daily with a centre-right position on the political spectrum supposes that criticisms of Germany (used as a "punching bag") are being used to whip up support but may risk damaging alliances that are crucial for regional security.
Al Jazeera expresses the same point more dramatically by considering Poland's election in concert with Slovakia's. Slovakian political economist Soňa Muzikárová writes that "More than democracy is at stake in polls in Slovakia and Poland". She suggests that if "populist conservative" forces win in both Slovakia and Poland, this could undermine EU unity on Ukraine.
The BBC: A combination of election realities and "compassion fatigue" has led to a marked change in Poland's attitude to Ukraine.
Britain's national, liberal state media institution has published an article "A shadow of 'Ukraine fatigue' hangs over Polish politics". "Compassion fatigue" is a well-known term in British history, stretching back at least to the famine in British-controlled Ireland. Not only the British government, but private charities "ran out of compassion". The BBC article praises Poland for its "passionate" support of Ukraine, but the choice of language suggests the passion may be fading.
Like the Spectator, the BBC discusses the realities of election campaigns:
"In the battle for votes, PiS has positioned itself as the strongest defender of Polish interests. So redefining how it is assisting Ukraine is just one of the cards it is playing alongside other populist causes such as migration."
Sources: The Spectator, The Guardian, The Straits Times, Al Jazeera, The BBC
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