In Poland, Authoritarianism May Turn Out Half-Baked

Political Chaos Leaves Poles in the Dark

Polish Election Antics Show 'Collapse of Democracy'

Pandemic Boosts Support for Europe's Autocrats

However, the decisiveness with which some of these countries managed the crisis has kindled or increased fears of democratic backsliding and the consolidation of illiberal regimes. Recently, US-based Freedom House became the latest democracy watchdog NGO to sound the alarm about Poland. 

Indeed, developments in Poland give cause for concern. The outbreak of the coronavirus coincided with presidential elections that were originally set to be held this month. The confused bungling of the latter resulted in a "ghost election" to be redone and exposed both the ruling party's dangerous ambitions towards state capture and the inherent weakness of an authoritarianism "à la polonaise".

Polish President Andrzej Duda attends a press conference in Jozefin village, central Poland, on May 7, shortly after the ruling coalition reached a deal to cancel the presidential election initially scheduled for May 10. Duda said he hoped the vote would be held as soon as possible. Photo: EPA-EFE/MATEUSZ MAREK

The vulnerability of the PiS party-state

Since 2015 and the ascendancy of the governing Law and Justice (PiS) party, Poland has been in the spotlight for the creeping erosion of the rule of law, media freedom and the curbing of gender and minority rights.

Yet, thanks in part to a well-performing economy and a popular programme of social spending, PiS has come out the winner in every election during the past five years, claiming legitimacy for its illiberal policies.

Nevertheless, PiS's hold on power is not as secure as, for instance, its kindred spirit in Hungary, the ruling Fidesz party of...