Law and Justice (PiS)

In many countries, even supporters of anti-populist parties have begun consciously accepting pathological behaviour, rule-breaking, and even illegal acts on the part of their chosen political representatives.

Following Gresham's Law, which holds that bad money drives out the good, opposition forces increasingly feel compelled to scheme and cheat in order to win.

A leaked copy of the draft policy was published in full (in Polish) in June by the Association for Legal Intervention rights group.

The Polish Helsinki Foundation, a human rights non-governmental organisation, said in a statement that the "conditions related to worldview and religion are a gross violation of fundamental freedoms and human rights".

True, populist MEPs from Poland's Law and Justice (PiS) Party and Hungary's Fidesz were firmly opposed to Frans Timmermans, a Dutch socialist who has loudly condemned both parties over their violations of EU norms and the rule of law.

A group of men standing nearby overheard him expressing his disgust. The couple rode on, but one of the men later caught up with them and asked Witkowski whether he liked the graffiti. He said no. The man broke his nose.

In this modified history, critics say Orban has cast himself as saviour of a pure nation steeped in Christian values but besieged by external threats: migrants, Muslims, liberal ideologues.

For the story to be believable, academic, educational and cultural institutions have to play along.

In Poland, it is no secret that the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party is packing governing institutions with its lackeys, misusing public media, rewarding cronies and undermining the independence of the courts.

Nonetheless, PiS trounced Poland's opposition parties in the European Parliament election in May.

The European Union's executive on Tuesday agreed new measures to better police democracy across the bloc, tightening scrutiny of nationalist rulers in the east who stand accused of attacking judicial independence and media freedom.

Examples are legion. When Der Spiegel reported that the far-right Alternative for Deutschland had misappropriated funds, the party's supporters could not have cared less.

Donald Tusk's term as president of the European Council will end on 30 November, which is perfect timing for the Polish opposition.

After the parliamentary election in late October, Poland will hold its presidential election in April 2020, and opposition voters already see Tusk as the only viable candidate.

Donald Tusk warned on Monday that the bitter feud between Warsaw and Brussels over the rule of law could lead to Poland stumbling out of the EU by accident.