WARSAW — For centuries, there’s been a Poland-shaped hole at the heart of Europe. As other countries adopted representative democracy and economic liberalism, Poland was fighting for independence — from Austria, from Russia, from the Nazis, from the Soviets. Only the end of communism in 1989 gave Poland a chance to re-enter the European mainstream. And it did so in a frenzy, with spirited multiparty democracy and “shock therapy” economic modernization.
The past four years has been in many ways a moment of re-evaluation. Under the ruling nationalist Law and Justice party, the country is debating the cost of three decades of rapid but unevenly distributed economic growth, which Western values it wants to accept — from gay rights to secularization and the acceptance of migrants — and whether liberal democracy with its separation of powers and checks on the will of the majority are suitable for the deeply divided Central European country.
Poland’s election on October 13 will determine which course the country takes next. A trio of pro-EU opposition parties is challenging the ruling party. Who ends up on top will have important implications not just for Poland — but also for the EU and the bloc’s relationship with the fast-growing economy at its heart.
Here are our must-reads on Poland ahead of Sunday’s election:
Kaczyński inches toward the exit
Polish politics is dividing families
How PiS won the internet
How to watch the Polish election like a pro
In defense of Poland’s ruling party
Children, pigs and cows — how PiS is winning the rural vote
For Ukrainians in Poland, jobs but no security
Poland’s new post-Brexit BFF: Germany
Poland’s left sets sights on return to parliament
POLAND NATIONAL PARLIAMENT ELECTION POLL OF POLLS
For more polling data from across Europe visit POLITICO Poll of Polls.