Word: pis
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...been declining since the end of communism as voters have grown increasingly disillusioned with their politicians. On Sunday that disillusionment became a spur as hundreds of thousands of mainly younger voters turned out to repudiate the populist political style of Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, whose Law and Justice Party (PIS) was defeated after just two years in office. The turnout was especially high in larger cities such as Krakow, Gdansk and the capital Warsaw (where it reached 70%) and in the huge 1.2 million strong Polish diaspora in Britain and Ireland; it was correspondingly low in rural areas of Poland...
...Tusk's strong finish came as a surprise, but hardly the first in Poland's often mercurial political scene. Less than three weeks ago, the PIS was ahead in the polls. But Jaroslaw Kaczynski performed badly against Tusk in a key televised debate, appearing overly combative, according to observers. The Civic Platform also succeeded in galvanizing the anti-Kaczynski vote, persuading voters - mainly among Poland's younger middle classes - to voice their unhappiness with the government at the polling booths. In an unusual move, Tusk and other party leaders even traveled outside of Poland to campaign, visiting both London...
...that would make Poland as business friendly as their adopted countries, allowing them to return. In the previous election in 2005, the Civic Platform failed to appeal to voters beyond Warsaw's elite. This time, said sociologist Tomasz Zukowski, "The Platform won because it became the leader of anti-PIS camp...
...Still, despite losing, the PIS did manage to increase its share of the vote to 30% on Sunday as opposed to 26% in 2005 as it soaked up support from smaller right-wing groupings. Jaroslaw Kaczysnki, conceding defeat, said he would pursue a vigorous opposition. His brother Lech will stay on until 2010 as President, a post that carries considerable influence on foreign affairs. "We shall keep track of [the PO's] promises", the outgoing Prime Minister said. "I repeat, we shall account for everything that was said." Poland has new leaders and, in all likelihood, a more stable government...
...While PIS leaders are avowedly Euro-skeptic, Polish public opinion remains staunchly pro-European (not surprising, perhaps, given the $6 billion in subsidies Poles receive from the E.U. each year). Moreover, whatever the rhetoric about the dangers of capitalism, Poland's economy is booming, with gdp growth topping 6% last year, and unemployment finally beginning to fall. In time, economic growth, if it continues, may take the edge off the fear-based politics that has taken hold in Poland. Back in Ozarow, Grazyna Bialowas admits that since her beloved factory closed, the town has actually improved, with a Best Western...