Donald Tusk, leader of the Civic Coalition, addresses supporters after Poland’s elections, October 15, 2023

I joined Poland’s TVP World on Monday for a 15-minute analysis of global developments, from Polish elections to the mass killings in Israel and Gaza to Ukraine’s 600-day stand against Russia’s invasion.

The other panelist is Michael Dembinski from the Polish-British Chamber of Commerce.

Watch from 14:35:

Exit polls indicate that the Civic Coalition of three opposition parties may form a government, and thus check the right-wing Law and Justice Party’s curbing of rights and Poland’s judiciary and media. While cautioning that we have to wait for the actual vote count, I note the record-setting 73% turnout.

This points to arguably Poland’s most important election since 1989: issues such as women’s rights, the rights of immigrants, LGBT rights, and — as you know — media freedom.

Add economic and agricultural issues, as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and this was — as candidates pointed out last night — a challenge for freedom and democracy in Poland. People have answered that by coming out to the polls.