After the Storm: Where is the Polish Left Standing after the Election?

In 2007, at the first-ever event hosted by the newly-founded Das Progressive Zentrum, we discussed a possible power change in Poland when Donald Tusk challenged the first PiS government. Sixteen years later, we are again witnessing the clash between a progressive, pro-European and national-conservative agenda for the country.

On October 15, parliamentary elections will take place in Poland. After eight years of the United Right coalition in power, the country is at odds with the European Union and its neighbours: Germany and Ukraine. Frozen EU funds are desperately needed, and the recent visa scandal undermines the current government’s credibility. Yet, the race is tight, and the result is impossible to predict. One thing is for sure: this ballot’s outcome will determine Poland’s future for years to come. 

If the opposition wins, a largely progressive alliance could govern Poland. What issues will they bring to the table? And what will they fight for should the United Right government prevail?

Join us for a breakfast briefing to recap the election results and look into the possible future scenarios for Poland on Tuesday, 17 October 2023, from 9 AM to 10.15 AM.

Agenda

9:00 – Welcome & Introduction by Katarina Niewiedzial
9:05 – Recap of Election Results
9:10 – Political & Non-political Commentary
9:30 – Discussion with Speakers
9:50 – Q&A with the Audience
10:15 – Closing
The event will be moderated by Maria Skóra.

You will receive access to the Zoom call with your confirmation e-mail.

Speakers

Konrad Gołota

Central and Eastern Europe Parties Advisor, PES

Konrad Gołota is running for senator as the candidate of the Senate Pact, an electoral alliance of all opposition parties in the 2023 Polish elections. He is the Central and Eastern Europe Parties Advisor for the Party of the European Socialists (PES). Prior to that, he was the International Secretary and Policy Advisor for the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) in Poland.

Karolina Zbytniewska

Editor-in-Chief, EURACTIV Poland

Karolina Zbytniewska is the editor-in-chief and managing director of Euractiv Poland, a major polish outlet reporting on European and international affairs. Additionally, she is a lecturer at the Political Science and International Studies Faculty at the University of Warsaw.

Hosted by

Dr. Maria Skóra

Policy Fellow, Research Associate (Institut für Europäische Politik)

Katarina Niewiedzial

Member of the Board

If you have any further questions, please contact events@progressives-zentrum.org

Information