Editorial Board

Poland’s Populists Run Into Trouble

As the Law and Justice Party consolidates power, it should take neither its popularity nor the economy’s growth for granted.

December 21, 2016 at 6:50 AM UTC

By The Editorial Board

The Editorial Board publishes the views of the editors across a range of national and global affairs.

Growing opposition.
Photographer: JANEK SKARZYNSKI /Getty Images

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A little over a year ago, Poland’s Law and Justice Party (PiS) swept to power promising to challenge the political elite, restore national control of the country’s affairs, and realign government with traditional conservative values. Since then concerns have grown, at home and in Europe’s capitals, that Poland has taken a wrong turn. The government’s most recent moves do nothing to dispel that fear.

Though less popular than it was, PiS is still widely supported and firmly in charge, thanks mainly to the country’s steady economic growth. But its heavy-handed methods are arousing protests, including formal declarations from the European Union. Soon they may exact an economic price as well. Poland’s government needs to reconsider.