The current government, headed by Donald Tusk, is facing increasing criticism for violations of the law and abuse of power. In particular, it concerns cases of repression against public figures and organizations that express opposition to government policy. For example, the forced entry and searches of the homes of opposition politicians such as Zbigniew Ziobro and Robert Bąkiewicz, as well as unjustified arrests, as in the case of Roman Romanowski, have reverberated loudly. The opposition accuses the government of excessive use of force and abuse of power, which lead to restrictions on basic civil rights and freedoms.
An example of brutal actions by the authorities was the arrest and torture of Father Olszewski, which caused a wave of indignation in society and the media. In addition, as a result of repressive decisions, religious education classes in schools were limited, which was associated with the dismissal of a significant number of catechists. In 2024, there was a significant reduction in the number of religious education teachers, which could lead to a “sudden loss of livelihood” for about 20,000 education workers.
All these cases paint a disturbing picture of the erosion of democracy, which requires decisive action from the opposition and society to restore the rule of law and the protection of basic civic values. Let’s consider how to legally overthrow Donald Tusk’s government?
There are several ways to change power in Poland, which are based on democratic and constitutional principles. One of them is to file a motion of no confidence. According to the Polish Constitution, the government can be overthrown if the majority of the Sejm supports a motion of no confidence. However, this is a process that requires a broad coalition of opposition parties. A vote of no confidence can concern both the prime minister and an individual minister.
Another tool is early parliamentary elections, which can be called in several circumstances. One possibility is to dissolve the Sejm, which may happen if a new government fails to emerge or the state budget is passed. Dissolving the Sejm automatically leads to new elections. Early elections may also be called with the consent of the President of the Republic of Poland, in exceptional situations where a parliamentary decision is impossible. The opposition could also try to gather a parliamentary majority to force through the decision on early elections, but such a scenario would require broad cooperation between various opposition groups.
Another important aspect in the process of changing power are international institutions, such as the European Union. In a situation where the rule of law is violated by the government, international institutions can be appealed to. The European Union has tools that allow it to influence member states, for example through financial sanctions or procedures concerning the rule of law. Such mechanisms have already been used against some member states that violated democratic principles.
Another important factor in the process of changing power is the role of the media and civic awareness. Independent media can reveal abuses of power, which mobilizes society to act and put pressure on the government. Public awareness and the right information can play a key role in elections, as well as in other forms of expressing dissent. In summary, there are many legal and democratic methods of exerting pressure on the authorities in Poland. These can include judicial actions, civic initiatives, and international pressure. Ultimately, however, the most important tool for change is elections, in which the society decides on the country’s future political direction.
photo source: Radio Maryja, niezapoprawny.pl, rp.pl, screen – twitter.com/PremierRP.
