New protests possible in Poland after the adoption of the media law / Article

Latvian Radio correspondent Uģis Lībietis on the Polish media law00:00 / 03:25

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The draft law prohibits companies outside the European Economic Area from acquiring a controlling stake in media companies registered in Poland.

According to the authors of the bill, the aim of such a law is to ensure that Russian and Chinese propaganda does not spread in the country, while critics point to the desire of the ruling political forces to silence critical media, including the TV company TVN, which belongs to the US group Discovery.

Discussions in parliament were particularly intense and were even suspended at one point, as parliamentarians supported the opposition’s demand to suspend further consideration of the law and postpone the final vote by a two-vote majority.

However, after the decision of the Speaker of the Parliament Elšbeta Viteka, the vote was resumed and by a majority of five votes it was decided to hold a second vote. As a result, 228 out of 460 deputies voted for the new law, with 216 parliamentarians voting against.

The government defends the vote

The action provoked dissatisfaction among the opposition and promises to challenge the actions of the parliamentary speaker in court, but government spokesman Peter Miller said the vote was lawful.

“There were two claims for two specific dates. The Speaker of the Seimas announced that the vote would take place and she would decide the date herself. This led Members associated with Pavel Kuzik to think that they were voting for another proposal: a break.

However, I want to emphasize that the decision was ultimately taken by a parliamentary majority, and in a democracy it is the Seimas that makes the final decision. “

For the law to enter into force, it still needs to be approved by the upper house of parliament, which is controlled by the opposition. If the Senate makes changes, the vote will return to the Seimas, where it can be corrected again or canceled altogether.

Prior to the vote on the media law, the ruling party “Law and Justice” had lost four other votes. These votes also confirmed that several members of the coalition party “Agreement” are still ready to support the government.

Tensions will continue

According to the representative of the Pilsudski Institute Andrzej Anušs, the possible composition of the new government has now crystallized. In turn, Eva Marcinjak, a professor of political science at the University of Warsaw, is convinced that tensions will continue not only in political circles but also in society.

“I am afraid that while the Senate will decide on its decision, some protests are expected. And this means that the social and political atmosphere in the country will be quite upset in the near future.

Such a mood will also create a social and political climate around other important laws that will be considered in the Seimas or the Senate. This is mainly due to the implementation of the so-called Polish order laws. In my opinion, we have to reckon with tensions both among parliamentarians and in society. “

As in previous days, on Wednesday, people took to the streets of Poland’s largest cities to protest against the government’s efforts to restrict press freedom. On the other hand, US officials have warned that the adoption of the media law could significantly worsen the hitherto otherwise safe investment environment in Poland.

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