Poland likely to face ‘revolution’: Wałęsa

The conservative Law and Justice party, which came to power last October, has carried out a series of sweeping reforms to the Constitutional Tribunal and other institutions, prompting anti-government protests and criticism from the EU.

Commenting on former US President Bill Clinton’s recent claim that Poland and Hungary consider democracy “too much trouble” and prefer “Putin-like leadership”, Wałęsa told the Rzeczpospolita daily: “Bill Clinton spoke the truth and there is no need for him to apologise to Poles.”

Clinton’s statement has sparked outrage in the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party and prompted demands for an apology.

Wałęsa said in the interview that democracy in his country is not as beleaguered as it is in Russia under Putin, but claimed that Poland is already moving along such a trajectory.

Wałęsa considers the Law and Justice party’s high ratings in opinion polls an outcome of promises made to voters during last year’s parliamentary campaign. “The masses are not yet ready to take to the streets, as they are still working out what’s more beneficial for them,” he said.

“Once two million Poles come out to demonstrate, I shall join them. [For now] I am waiting for a referendum on removing the Law and Justice government.” (aba)

Source: Rzeczpospolita