Law and Justice

Law and Justice
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Name	Law and Justice
Native name	Prawo i Sprawiedliwość
Abbreviation	PiS
Leader	Jarosław Kaczyński
Foundation	13 June 2001
Founder	Lech Kaczyński, Jarosław Kaczyński
Headquarters	Warsaw, Poland
Ideology	National conservatism, Right-wing populism, Social conservatism, Christian democracy, Euroscepticism
Position	Right-wing to far-right
European	European Conservatives and Reformists
Europarl	European Conservatives and Reformists Party
Colours	Blue, Red
Seats1 title	Sejm
Seats1	194, 460
Seats2 title	Senate
Seats2	34, 100
Seats3 title	European Parliament
Seats3	20, 52
Seats4 title	Regional Assemblies
Seats4	254, 552
Website	https://pis.org.pl/

Law and Justice. It is a major right-wing political party in Poland, founded in 2001 by identical twin brothers Lech Kaczyński and Jarosław Kaczyński. The party has dominated Polish politics since its 2015 electoral victory, promoting a platform of national conservative values, social conservatism, and sweeping judicial reforms. Its tenure has been marked by significant domestic policy changes and repeated conflicts with the European Union over the rule of law.

Definition and Distinction

Law and Justice is ideologically defined by its synthesis of national conservatism, right-wing populism, and Christian democratic principles, setting it apart from more liberal Polish political rivals. The party distinguishes itself through its foundational doctrine of the "Fourth Polish Republic", which advocates for a moral revolution and the dismantling of perceived post-communist networks. Its political identity is further cemented by a strong emphasis on Catholic Church teachings, traditional family values as seen in the Family 500+ program, and a sovereigntist stance against further European integration.

Historical Development

The party was established on June 13, 2001, by the Kaczyński twins, emerging from the center-right Solidarity tradition and the Agreement of the Center political party. Law and Justice first entered government following the 2005 elections, with Lech Kaczyński winning the presidency and Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz initially serving as Prime Minister. A period of coalition rule with Self-Defence of the Republic of Poland and the League of Polish Families ensued. After the 2010 Smolensk air disaster which killed President Lech Kaczyński, the party spent several years in opposition before achieving a decisive parliamentary majority in the 2015 Polish parliamentary election. This victory began an uninterrupted eight-year period of governance, lasting until the 2023 elections.

Philosophical Foundations

The party's philosophy is rooted in the writings of thinkers like Roman Dmowski and the interwar National Democratic movement, emphasizing national identity and sovereignty. Core tenets are heavily influenced by the teachings of Pope John Paul II and the Polish Catholic episcopate, particularly regarding social doctrine. Intellectual underpinnings also draw from the works of conservative philosophers and legal theorists such as Marek Cichocki and the Łazienkowska school of thought, which advocate for a strong state. This worldview is operationalized through concepts like "Good Change" and historical policy aimed at promoting patriotic narratives, often managed by institutions like the Pilecki Institute.

Systems and Institutions

During its governments, Law and Justice implemented profound institutional changes, most notably a controversial overhaul of the judiciary, including reforms to the National Council of the Judiciary and the Supreme Court, which triggered Article 7 proceedings by the European Commission. It established new state entities such as the National Media Council to oversee public broadcasters like TVP and the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau. The party also expanded the social welfare system via the Family 500+ program and created the Polish National Foundation. Key allied institutions included the Ordo Iuris Institute for Legal Culture and the state-owned oil company PKN Orlen.

Contemporary Issues and Debates

Law and Justice's rule has been central to ongoing debates about the rule of law and democratic backsliding, leading to multiple legal clashes with the Court of Justice of the European Union and the withholding of EU funds from programs like the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Major domestic controversies have involved media freedom, exemplified by disputes over TVN's license, and LGBT rights, with numerous localities declaring themselves "LGBT-free zones". The party's stance on historical memory, including legislation regarding property restitution and the Institute of National Remembrance, has sparked international diplomatic incidents with Israel and Ukraine. Its electoral defeat in 2023 has initiated a new political era marked by coalition negotiations led by Donald Tusk of the Civic Platform.

Category:Political parties in Poland Category:National conservative parties Category:Right-wing populist parties in Europe