A prosperous country facing social and political challenges
The country's economy is said to be one of the most dynamic in the European Union, with steady GDP growth reaching 4.5% in 2022 and 0.2% in 2023 (source: Country Economy), as well as a falling unemployment rate, peaking at 3% in 2024 (source: Country Economy). Today, Poland is a focal point for manufacturing, financial services and information technology. Thanks to its well-established international relations, the country now welcomes foreign investment for the development of start-ups in the renewable energy, biotechnology and innovation sectors. Despite the country's strong economic growth, social and regional inequalities persist. Indeed, there are considerable differences in wages and living standards between urban and rural areas. In remote towns and villages, unemployment is higher than in the big cities. What's more, wages can be two to three times lower. The quality of life of rural dwellers is directly affected by the lack of dynamism and attractiveness of their territory. Isolation is greater, and the weakness of infrastructures and public services is also felt.
Increased immigration is making the country more cosmopolitan, but tends to reinforce inequalities across the territory. Young people, whether Polish or immigrant, are more open-minded and prefer to live in large cities. They are better connected, better equipped and more diversified. The country, now involved in the Erasmus program thanks to its membership of the European Union, is becoming an attractive destination for foreign students. The dynamism of its university communities, the wide choice of programs, the country's cultural richness and the much lower cost of living than in other European countries are just some of the reasons to choose Poland as a destination for a university exchange.
Despite this transformation of society, there are currently tensions between conservative supporters (traditionally resident in rural areas) and liberal/progressive supporters (mainly resident in urban areas). The election of the PiS (Law and Justice) party in 2015, then its re-election in 2020, has reinforced the discord between these two sides of the population. A key nationalist party, PiS is strongly criticized by the European Union for its behavior towards migrants and sexual minorities. As a result, Poland's relations with France, Germany and other European countries are sometimes fraught with friction. However, we all know how essential it is to maintain cordial diplomatic relations with this country, which is a major player on security and energy issues. Poland's objective now is to secure its economic, European and international development, while meeting the political and social challenges facing the country.
The place of sexual minorities and women in the country
The conservative party (PiS), once in power, had very strong positions on questions of gender and sexual orientation. The subject was controversial in Poland, with policies sharply criticized by human rights organizations. In 2019, PiS-affiliated elected representatives had launched the "LGBT ideology-free zones" initiative, aimed at authorizing the exclusion of LGBTQIA+ people from certain businesses or private services in several cities. This initiative met with strong opposition, and the European Union and various organizations condemned the country's discrimination. Under pressure from the EU, most of these zones were declared illegal by Polish courts. During the 2020 re-election campaign, President Andrzej Duda made anti-LGBTQIA+ speeches, claiming that "LGBT ideologies are more dangerous than communism". Despite this climate, Poland's LGBTQIA+ community continued to mobilize to make its rights heard, organizing demonstrations, often framed and monitored to avoid homophobic attacks.
In terms of women's rights, progress was observed, particularly in relation to education and employment. The proportion of working women in Poland has risen since 2017, often occupying positions of responsibility. However, wage inequalities persist and women still come up against a glass ceiling. In 2020, the Polish government expressed its intention to withdraw its ratification of the Istanbul Convention, an agreement aimed at combating domestic violence and promoting gender equality, considering that it violated traditional family values and promoted gender ideology.
The Civic Coalition (KO), now in power, is pursuing an entirely new policy, seeking to promote inclusiveness and equality. In particular, the party has called for greater protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, lobbying for civil partnerships for same-sex couples, and opposing "LGBT ideology free zones". KO is also committed to the issue of abortion and the current laws governing it (considered too restrictive by the party), as well as the fight against domestic, sexual and discriminatory violence.
The thorny issue of abortion
The issue of abortion in Poland is a prime example of the regressive steps taken in recent years. In October 2020, the Constitutional Court banned abortion in cases of "serious and irreversible malformation of the fetus", even though this reason accounted for the majority of legal abortions. The risk of disability was the main justification for Polish women to resort to abortion in a country where the government provides no allowance for disabled children.
This decision provoked numerous demonstrations across Poland and strong opposition from women's associations, the international community and several European countries. Between January 2021 and January 2022, over 1,000 Polish women lodged appeals with the European Court of Human Rights. This restrictive access to abortion today drives women to resort to clandestine procedures, which are often dangerous and costly, or to travel illegally to neighboring countries where legislation is more permissive.
Paradoxically, some private clinics in Poland offer medical or surgical abortions without any real concern, despite the potentially heavy penalties. At present, abortion in Poland is legal in only two cases: in cases of rape or incest, or when the mother's life or health is in danger. However, even in these legal cases, some doctors refuse to perform abortions.
The new pro-European centrist party in power since 2023 (KO) seeks to reverse these restrictive policies and promote a more inclusive approach. KO supports free and safe access to abortion and campaigns for reforms to guarantee women's rights, including the reintroduction of abortion for cases of severe fetal malformation. The party also advocates increased allowances and support for families with disabled children, and comprehensive sex education programs to better inform and protect young people. KO aims to make Poland a country where women's rights are fully respected and protected.
The place of ethnic minorities
Although Poland is an ethnically homogeneous country, minorities are well and truly established. Ukrainians (especially in the current geopolitical context), Byelorussians, Tatars, Germans, Roma, Lithuanians and Russians have been living together on Polish soil for decades. Some of these minorities have been - and may still be - victims of discrimination and prejudice. Their economic and social integration is a major challenge for Poland. Since the end of communism in 1989, the country has taken steps to guarantee these minorities political representation and access to linguistic rights. However, with the conservative PiS party in government from 2015 to 2023, the government's nationalist rhetoric has only served to increase xenophobia across the country.
The new ruling party, Civic Coalition (KO), is now taking a different approach to ethnic minorities, while trying to preserve the country's national identity and values. The party stresses the need to strengthen the integration of minorities while preserving Polish culture. To this end, measures are envisaged to promote education and employment for minorities, while encouraging mutual respect and intercultural understanding.
In addition, the new government affirms its commitment to combating all forms of discrimination and prejudice against ethnic minorities. Concrete initiatives are planned to guarantee equal access to political, linguistic and social rights for all citizens, regardless of their ethnic origin.
However, despite these stated intentions, the KO's approach is also provoking debate and criticism within Polish society. Some doubt the government's real commitment to promoting genuine inclusion of minorities, fearing that its policies will further foster ethnic and social polarization in the country.
