Re-democratization of Poland

Transition from Kaczyński's Authoritarian Populism to a Liberal Democracy

Resumen

The transition from populist authoritarianism to liberal democracy in Poland is proving to be a particularly difficult and gradual process. The main obstacle lies in the legal and institutional barriers established by the former populist government, which constrain democratic reforms. While populist actors frequently bypass the law to consolidate power, the democratic camp is bound to act strictly within constitutional and legal frameworks, slowing down the reversal of authoritarian measures. A further challenge is the need for broad political unity. In Poland, democratic governments are usually coalition-based, which complicates decision-making and often dilutes reform efforts. Moreover, effective democratization requires cooperation not only within the government but also between the executive branch and the presidency, especially since the president holds veto power. The election of Karol Nawrocki, backed by the Law and Justice (PiS) party, has significantly weakened the prospects for democratic consolidation, suggesting a possible resurgence of populism. If PiS were to return to power, possibly in coalition with the right-wing Confederation Party, Poland could face a prolonged departure from liberal democracy toward right-wing, Eurosceptic authoritarianism. This study combines participant observation with an analysis of academic and journalistic discourse to examine Poland’s democratic trajectory. Research question: Can the new democratic government guide Poland’s transition from the system built by Kaczyński toward a consolidated liberal democracy?