Poland | Central European Journal of International and Security Studies

Central Europe in the World

Twenty years since the end of its artificial dismemberment and Central Europe continues to evolve as a unique political, economic and social space. Yet, there is no escaping the contagious political dynamics unfolding in Europe, and post-Cold War Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia have rapidly emerged as pillars of regional and international relations.

Located in the heart of Central Europe, CEJISS is proud to announce the launching of a new media service freely available to our electronic readership: clear and concise summaries and political analyses of key issues which link the countries and peoples of Central Europe to the rest of the world.

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(TWP/01/03/2012) Miroslaw Rutkowski (spokesman for the Polish Geological Institute) stated that US Energy Information Administration estimations on the deposits of shale gas are too high. According to the USEIA they are equal to 5.3 trillion cubic meters. Estimates from the Polish side have not yet been made clear. (by Sergei Kartashev)

(TWP/28/02/2012) After demands from the Belarusian government for the ambassador of Poland to leave, all 27 EU states have recalled their ambassadors from Belarus. (by Sergei Kartashev)

(TNP/12/01/2012) A court in Warsaw charged former Polish Interior Minister Czeslaw Kiszczak to two years in prison - suspended for five years - for his role in the imposition of martial law in 1981. Another two defendants, Stanislaw Kania, a former first secretary of the central committee of the communist party, and Eugenia Kempara, a former member of the communist era State Council, were discontinued on account of the statute of limitations. (by Natalia Kierczak)

(TNP/04/01/2012) Poland's deputy Interior Minister, Adam Rapacki, has been dismissed. The reason behind the decision remains unclear but likely is accredited to Rapackis disagreements with the new Interior Minister. (by Natalia Kierczak)

(TNP/29/12/2011) According to polls performed by the CBOS institute, President Komorowski and Prime Minister Tusk are publically recognized as Politicians of the Year. (by Sergei Kartashev)

(TNP/25/11/2011) Poland's High Court has permitted the far-right party National Rebirth of Poland (NOP) to use a Celtic cross as well as an anti-gay symbol as their official emblems. The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights expressed shock and surprise over the decision and a Warsaw prosecutor has appealed against it. (by Natalia Kierczak)

(TNP/17/11/11) Poland's new cabinet was announced following a meeting between Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski. (by Sergei Kartashev)

(TNP/27/10/2011) According to new research, two-thirds of all Polish Roma children studying in special schools are capable of attending regular schools. About 20% of Roma children have been attending special schools and the Polish Roma community has been complaining about the discrimination of their children by the Polish school system. The research was carried out by psychologists from the Jagiellonian University in Krakow on the initiative of the Association of Roma in Poland. (Natalia Kierczak)

(TNP/17/10/2011) According to the data collected by Poland's Central Statistics Office (GUS), more Poles are dependent on social benefits now than just two years ago. On the other hand, the number of households unable to cover the costs of essentials has dropped from 28% to 26% since 2009. Poland and Italy have shown to have the worst poverty levels in the European Union. (Natalia Kierczak)

(TNP/11/10/2011) Parliamentary elections in Poland took place on Sunday 9 October 2011. The Civic Platform Party received 39.18% of the vote (206 MPs in the lower house of parliament), Law and Justice received 29.98% (158MPs), the Palikot Movement received 10% (40 MPs), the Polish Peasant's Party received 8.36% (28 MPs), the Democratic Left Alliance 8.24% (27 MPs) and the German minority has one seat guaranteed in the lower house. In the upper house of parliament Civic Platform has 63 senators, Law and Justice 31, Peasant's Party 4 and others 2. The election turnout was 48.87%. (Natalia Kierczak)

(27/09/2011/TNP) Following reviews by Poland's National Security Council and theational Security Bureau, on 27 September President Bronislaw Komorowski signed an updated bill that changes regulations on martial law, states of emergency, and states of natural disaster relief. (Sergei Kartashev)

(21/09/2011/TNP)Jose Barroso, President of the European Commission, approved the participation of the EU‘s budget commissioner, Janusz Lewandowski, in Poland's upcoming election campaign. (by Sergei Kartashev)

(21/09/2011/TNP) According to the latest opinion poll by TNS/OBOP (15-18 September 2011, a sample of 978 people) preceding the parliamentary elections, 26% of respondents have declared support for the Law and Justice party while the rival Civic Platform party received some 33% support. Law and Justice has gained support since polls taken earlier in September. Parliamentary elections are due to take place on 09 October 2011. (by Natalia Kierczak)

(17/09/2011/TNP) Poland has voiced a demand that Lithuania respect the rights of its Polish minority and not attempt to forcibly alter people's ethnic identities, Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said. (by Hanna Vasilevich)

(22/08/2011/TNP) Polish PM, Donald Tusk, suggested that the election campaign include televised debates (which are very popular in the US) between the ruling Civil Platform and their main opponent Law and Justice. Tusk stated that "I am ready to answer the most difficult questions and challenges, so I am throwing down the gauntlet. I am offering a proposal which the leader of the opposition (Jaroslaw Kaczynski) should answer, if they have anything to say." (by Sergei Kartashev)

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