The Globalist

The West should support democracy in Belarus, but avoid provocative promises.

The late Mariusz Handzlik, diplomatic advisor to President Lech Kaczyński, served Poland with boundless energy. He died in the presidential plane on April 10, 2010 en route to Smolensk. He is sorely missed.

PiS aims to create a repressive, homogeneous society not much different from the late unlamented Polish People’s Republic — albeit in the name of Jesus Christ, not Karl Marx.

Key elements of the Polish success story resemble that of the German post-war economic story, especially relying on social and economic inclusiveness as a driver of economic success.

Instead of seeking war reparations from Germany, Poland should take steps that bring the country closer to the euro area to secure the country’s long-term economic interests.

Though the Polish economy faces external threats, the greatest challenges remain inside the country.

Despite the Polish economy’s success post-1990, the challenge of escaping the middle-income trap is steep.

In its blind effort to reinvent Poland’s past, the current government turns former employees of the country’s security services into scapegoats.

Despite shrinking populations, Eastern European countries are worried that taking in refugees is socially disruptive while providing no benefit in closing the income gap with Western Europe.

It is because I admire the great nation of Poland that I must call a spade a spade.