The PiS, the virus and power
Elections during the pandemic
Marta Bucholc, Maciej Komornik
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
In the fight against the corona virus, the Polish government has imposed significant restrictions on public life and the economy, as well as on the rights and freedoms of Polish citizens. The pandemic situation was announced by decree. Nevertheless, the PiS is determined to continue with plans to hold the presidential elections on 10 May 2020. In order to do so, it has introduced changes to the electoral law, making postal voting obligatory. The restrictions on the right to hold public gatherings are preventing an equal and fair public election campaign. This approach is a cause for concern when it comes to constitutional rights. There is a danger that while attention is focussed on fighting the corona virus, too little notice will be taken among the European general public of challenges to the rule of law.
(Osteuropa 3-4/2020, pp. 49–64)