POLISH NEWS BYTES
Compiled by Robert Strybel, Warsaw Correspondent
Pro-Harris Polonians resort to Putin fear-mongering Leaders of Pennsylvania’s Polish community have penned a letter to The Keystone, a regional news site, warning that Donald Trump would allow Russia to invade Poland once the war in Ukraine is finished. “Vice President Harris has a long, strong track record of protecting our democracy here at home and standing up for our brothers, sisters, parents and grandparents in Poland – the same people Vladimir Putin hopes to attack next if Ukraine were to fall,” the letter claimed. Harris has made several forays into Pennsylvania, a key battleground state.
Trump reaches out to PolAms on Pułaski Day With the election only weeks away, Republican candidate Donald Trump took to social media for some Polonian-directed electioneering on Pułaski Day. He emphasized that Kazimierz Pułaski was a wonderful, brave, and strong man whose life should be celebrated by all. He also expressed his appreciation for the Polish community, while highlighting his love for Poland and its people. Trump also saluted Polish President Andrzej Duda, whom he called his “good friend” and gave an interview to Poland’s conservative TV station Telewizja Republika.
Future generations will also be threatened by Russia – Eurocorps chief “Stopping the war in Ukraine through a ceasefire or even a peace treaty will not protect us from the Russian threat,” General Piotr Błazeusz said in a recent interview. “That will not bring peace to Europe. On the contrary. It will only give the Russians time to rebuild their military capabilities, so within a few years they will again be prepared to attack.” The Polish general, who said the prediction was based on historical precedents as well as Russia’s current behavior, is the commander of the Eurocorps, Europe’s rapid-reaction force.
Poland may lose some two million workers by 2035 – think-tank The Polish Economic Institute has warned that the Polish labor market may be short of two million workers by 2035 if the present retirement age remains in force. During that period 3.8 million are expected to retire whereas only 1.7 million new workers will replace them. The previous Tusk administration which lost power in 2015 had raised the retirement age to a universal 67, but the family-friendly Law & Justice party restored the traditional 60 years for women and 65 for men.
European court blasts Poland for not recognizing homo hook-ups “The lack of legal recognition for same-sex partnerships in Poland has left such couples in a legal vacuum that violates their human rights,” the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled. “Member states of the European Convention on Human Rights are required to provide a legal framework allowing same-sex couples to be granted adequate recognition and protection of their relationship,” declared the court based in Strasbourg, France.
Tusk government wants to legalize same-sex hook-ups Under pressure from the European community, the coalition government of PM Donald Tusk has presented a bill to legalize same-sex partnerships. The country’s LGBT circles have hailed the move as a good first step leading to full sexual equality including homo marriage. However Poland’s constitution clearly defines marriage as a union of one man and one woman. Changing it would require a two-thirds parliamentary majority, highly unlikely in this polarized country. The partnership bill is likely to be voted down by Law & Justice and the more conservative MPs of Tusk’s coalition. Even if it were passed by parliament, it would surely get vetoed by President Andrzej Duda.
Poland has granted protection to nearly a million Ukrainian refugees Among EU member states for which data are available Poland came in second with 975,190 Ukrainian war refugees having been granted temporary protection. Upon their arrival in Poland they received emergency accommodation, food and healthcare and subsequently were granted health, education and employment rights like those of Polish citizens. In first place was affluent Germany which has aided 1.1 million fleeing Ukrainians. All told, nearly 4.2 million non-EU citizens fleeing Putin’s invasion have enjoyed the EU’s temporary-protection status. The vast majority entered the bloc via Poland.