Cover Osteuropa 11/2005

In Osteuropa 11/2005

Instinct for Statesmanship or National Complex
What Europe Has to Expect from Poland’s New President

Gerhard Gnauck


Deutsche Fassung

Abstract

Since Lech Kaczyński’s surprising victory in the Polish presidential election, observers have been pondering where he will lead Poland in its domestic and foreign policies. A look at his political career, which began in the Solidarity movement, suggests that two scenarios are possible. Either Kaczyński will reveal an instinct for statesmanship, break with his vision for reshaping Poland, and raise the common good to his highest guiding principal, or he could prove to be a politician who is driven by personal injury and complexes and suspicious of others.

(Osteuropa 11/2005, pp. 3–8)