Poland is holding an election Sunday that many view as its most important one since the 1989 vote that toppled communism.Political experts say the election will not be fully fair after eight years of governing by a conservative nationalist party that has eroded checks and balances to gain more control over state institutions, including the courts, public media and the electoral process itself.
Women in Poland currently have the right to abortions only in cases of rape or incest, or if there is a threat to their life or health. “What has happened in Poland is a nightmare,” said Maryla Kowalewska, 75. “Let’s hope there is a total change in this country.” Small shifts for or against the smaller parties could significantly impact what coalitions will be possible after election day.
The ministry also said it had “immediately dismissed” its spokesman, Lukasz Jasina, for saying that not all polling stations would be able to count all the votes before the deadline for submitting them, which would cause them to be invalidated. The ministry said in a statement late Friday that it was prepared to carry out the vote abroad, and that Jasina was fired for spreading “false information.