Opinion | Want to Save Europe? Learn From Poland

These days, many people view Poland as a warning story for Europe: a country rapidly moving away from liberal democracy. The Law and Justice party, which has ruled for the last four years, represents, many people believe, some of the most worrying trends that can be found across Europe, from the new far-right Vox party in Spain to Matteo Salvini’s League party in Italy to the authoritarian prime minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban.

It’s true that democracy has suffered under Law and Justice. But there’s another story about Poland that needs to be told, one about how liberals are learning to fight for democracy. There is no guarantee that Law and Justice will be defeated in this year’s elections for the European Parliament and the Polish Parliament, but change is happening.

The European elections this week are being viewed as a crucial test for the illiberal wave in Europe. If Law and Justice and its allies across the Continent perform well, many people believe that not only will it change the face of the European Union but it may also help other illiberal parties in upcoming national elections. That’s why it’s important to look to Poland for lessons. And at a time when the far right is forming alliances and sharing messages, strategies and tactics, liberals should be learning from each other, too.